May-2013
Plants of New Hampshire: Hairy Solomon’s Seal
Polygonatum pubescens (Willd.) Pursh is a common small herb along forested paths in New Hampshire. The flowers can occur singly at each node or in pairs, as seen in these photographs. The leaves, as the scientific name implies, are very hairy. Thoreau writes in his rediscovered last manuscript, Wild Fruits, “This is a delicate plant with a handsome leafy stem recurved over the hillside…” He goes on to describe the fruits in detail – I will post photos of the fruits once I encounter them in the forest. This plant is in the Asparagaceae.
Polygonatum pubescens, Hairy Solomon’s Seal
Polygonatum pubescens, Hairy Solomon’s Seal, with flowers borne singly.
Polygonatum pubescens, Hairy Solomon’s Seal, with flowers borne in pairs.
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