Smooth Solomon’s-seal, in Wylam, Northumberland
Polygonatum biflorum (smooth Solomon’s-seal, great Solomon’s-seal, Solomon’s seal). The plant is said to possess scars on the rhizome that resemble the ancient Hebrew seal of King Solomon. This is a species of the genus Polygonatum native to eastern and central North America It is often confused with Solomon’s plume which has upright flowers.
Unbranched leaf stalks of one to several feet in length, with simple, alternate leaves and parallel veins. In May, clusters of small white-green flowers droop from the stalks and later produce small blue berries. If dug up, the scars resembling Solomon’s Seal may be visible on the nodes between sections of rhizomes.