Polygonatum, A pictorial guide

[Afloden]

Three new species just published;

Polygonatum autumnale -- the first described autumn-flowering species seen here in fruit in May 2014 Arunachal Pradesh,

two images of P. angelicum with its white verrucose perigone also taken in AP a few days later,

and P. luteoverrucosum with its yellow perigone.

The formermost is known from a single site in AP, and the other two are known along the eastern side of the Tsiang (Tsangpo) in AP and into Tibet.  These latter two were a serendipitous discovery when our original itinerary was canceled due to the landslides which had closed the road north to our original destination. I had previously only seen bad specimens from Tibet in fruit. In habitat they are separated by elevation with angelicum growing nearly 600 meters higher in elevation than luteoverrucosum.  Also seen on these treks were at least three other species.

[Afloden]

And the true Polygonatum nodosum seen in Chongqing Province, China this autumn.... Nearly all other plants in cultivation with purple leaves or silvery centers are something related to P. cyrtonema.

This is a very small plant with up to about 7 leaves and long nodose rhizomes that were crawling along the surfaces of moss covered rocks and logs.

[Maggi Young]

Exciting additions to this  topic, Aaron - we are grateful for your  direct experience of seeing these plants in habitat.

[bulborum]

The last one DSC_0889 looks a little as the wrong-named Polygonatum oppositifolium from Chen Yi I have

Roland

[Lesley Cox]

I have a little (20 cms high) species described as simply with lemon flowers. It's in bud now (SH) and I'll try to get a photo when it's out. It came from a local garden centre who had it from a local nursery which is now out of business unfortunately. Owners retired and no-one taking their place. Such is the way of many or most small, specialist nurseries in NZ.

I also have P. graminifolium in bud.

[Maggi Young]

News of a new publication from Aaron Floden -  full text not freely available meantime
See pictures in Aaron's post 195  above.


Three new Solomon’s Seals (Polygonatum: Asparagaceae) from the Eastern Himalaya
Article in Phytotaxa 236(3):273 · December 2015 

 Aaron Floden,   University of Tennessee

Abstract

Three new Polygonatum (Asparagaceae) are described and illustrated from the Eastern Himalaya. These species, Polygonatum autumnale, P. angelicum, and P. luteoverrucosum, have opposite leaves and are evergreen. The foremost is the first autumn-flowering species in the genus and is known from a single locality in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Polygonatum angelicum and P. luteoverrucosum are the first species in the genus to be reported with distinctly verrucose perigone surfaces. These two are sympatric in Arunachal Pradesh, India, and Xizang, China, but occur at different elevations. Their relationships to other opposite-leaved species are discussed and a key is provided to these and related species.

[Lesley Cox]

Just remembered I didn't post my little pale polygonatum here, though I think I did on the Southern Hemisphere thread and there were a couple of suggestions as to what it may be. Perhaps a confirmation (or otherwise) please? Here it is. I think the flowers are pale jade green rather than the lemon which the label said.

It grows to about 30 cms and the leaves are maybe 5 cms long, the flowers about 1 cm long or a little more.

I've been back through the pages of December then November to find the name suggestions but can't find that post, from Jacqui (Parsla) I think. I know my eyesight's getting worse but heck, missing things altogether? I think one suggestion may have been cirrhifolium or something like that.

[Egon27]

Hallo,
I have a problem with the naming of Polygonatum. I buy it in China. It is low, about 10-15 cm.
Egon

[Afloden]

Lesley, very cute little plant. It looks like leptophyllum from the Himalaya, but does the plant get any taller? The verticillate species are somewhat of a mess and I won't be resolving all the taxonomic issues with those.

Egon, that looks like kansuense, a very nice form of it.

 Aaron

[Leena]

Lesley, how nice looking Polygonatum.

[Egon27]

Polygonatum kansuenes is the synonyms of Polygonatum verticillatum. My plant has wider leaves, bigger and nicer flowers and low growth. I'm afraid that it will be difficult to find a good name.

[Afloden]

Egon,

 Kansuense is a synonym of verticillatum in the Flora of China, but it is a very distinct plant. I have molecular data that shows that it is distinct. It is a low growing plant with usually many outward facing pink flowers and a scabrous stem. I have seen specimens from Nepal north and eastward to Gansu, China. It is very similar to some forms of prattii, but prattii usually has really broadly ovate leaves.

 

[Maggi Young]

Aaron Floden has been busy again!

A new Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum: Asparagaceae) from northern Thailand

Polygonatum costatumFloden sp. nov [/b]

Article in Phytotaxa 236(3):279 · December 2015

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285383465_A_new_Solomon's_Seal_Polygonatum_Asparagaceae_from_northern_Thailand

[Afloden]

It should also be noted that Polygonatum gongshanense http://www.sekj.org/PDF/anb51-free/anb51-333.pdf was published from Yunnan in 2014 and is a segregate of P. cathcartii (though I believe it is more closely related to P. autumnale).

And Polygonatum campanulatum was recently published from Yunnan; http://biotaxa.org/Phytotaxa/article/view/phytotaxa.236.1.10. This is an evergreen species with bell shaped yellow flowers and grows as an epiphyte in the Gaoligongshan.

 I agree with the authors that both are novel species and the second one they chose the same name I had in a draft manuscript.

 

[john122]

I bought this (about 3 years ago) as Polygonatum sp. 245. The label states "Collected near the Pienma pass on the Yunnan/Burma border by Michael Wickenden [...] Does not key out to any species I know." It has grown to about 25 cm tall.

Can anyone help with identification?

Thanks

John

Added 9th December 2019 :  This has now been identified as Polygonatum tessellatum. Thanks to Aaron Flodden.