# smooth Solomon's seal (*Polygonatum biflorum*) Smooth Solomon's seal is a lovely plant with smooth, green leaves and small, bell-shaped flowers. It grows in shady places and is a favorite among woodland creatures. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Forests ![smooth Solomon's seal](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Polygonatum_biflorum.jpg&width=800) Photo: Kristine Paulus, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polygonatum_biflorum.jpg) ## Appearance The smooth Solomon's seal has gracefully arching stems with smooth, oval leaves arranged alternately. Small, greenish-white, bell-shaped flowers hang in pairs beneath the stem. Later, dark blue-black berries develop, contrasting with its vibrant green foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Asparagales - **Family:** Asparagaceae - **Genus:** Polygonatum ## Interesting facts - Each year, a new 'seal' scar forms on its underground stem, marking its age like a tree's rings! - Its berries might look tasty, but only birds should eat them – they're not for human tummies! - Look closely at its root scars! They resemble ancient wax seals, giving the plant its unique name. - Native Americans once used its roots to soothe minor aches and skin irritations! ## Special abilities - **Underground Traveler:** Smooth Solomon's seal can spread widely using thick underground stems, called rhizomes, helping it form new plant colonies. - **Hidden Nectar Bar:** Its bell-shaped flowers hang beneath the stem, which helps protect nectar from rain and offers a sheltered landing spot. - **Berry Broadcast:** The smooth Solomon's seal produces dark blue-black berries, which attract birds to eat them and scatter its seeds far and wide. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 30-90 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late Spring to Early Summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer browse on its tender young shoots and leaves. - **Pollinates:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Bumblebees visit the bell-shaped flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Robins and other birds consume its ripe blue-black berries. ## Traits - [Bell-Shaped Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/bell-shaped-flower): Bell-shaped flowers possess petals fused or arranged to form a cup-like or campanulate structure resembling a bell. - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they are safe! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify smooth Solomon's seal? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is smooth Solomon's seal? 30-90 cm ### How wide does smooth Solomon's seal spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on smooth Solomon's seal? 1-2 cm ### When does smooth Solomon's seal bloom? Late Spring to Early Summer ### Is smooth Solomon's seal edible? No ### Is smooth Solomon's seal toxic? Mild ### What is smooth Solomon's seal's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gibraltar-rock-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park - [Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/midewin-national-tallgrass-prairie) — Illinois, US · Forest - [Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mitchell-park-horticultural-conservatory) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden - [Palisades State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/palisades-state-park) — South Dakota, US · State Park - [Andrews Geyser](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/andrews-geyser) — North Carolina, US · Nature Reserve - [Caldwell Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/caldwell-street-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District [View all places to see smooth Solomon's seal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/smooth-solomons-seal) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [smooth Solomon's seal: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/smooth-solomons-seal)