The Genus name of Solomon's-seals, Polygonatum can easily be misinterpreted as Polygonum which is the genus name of Knotgrasses such as Ray's Knotgrass (Polygonum oxyspermum).
It is the Hybrid between : Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum multiflorum) and Angular Solomon's-Seal (Polygonatum odoratum), all three of which are grown in gardens, but only Garden Solomon's-seal is non-native, the rest are natives with Whorled Solomon's-seal (Polygonatum verticillatum) being the very rare [RRR], Angular Solomon's-Seal (Polygonatum odoratum) being the pretty rare [R] and Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum multiflorum) a slightly rare [R]
As a Solomon's-seal species - it has uniquely identifiable characteristics, but differentiating between species requires careful observation.
Most solomon's-Seals produce berries, but Garden Solomon's-Seal, being a hybrid between Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum multiflorum) and Angular Solomon's-Seal (Polygonatum odoratum) is sterile and only rarely produces a berry, which are infertile and much smaller than those on other Solomon's-Seals.
Garden Solomon's-seal occurs in the wild as a garden throw-out and is much the more commonest species of Solomon's-seal to be found growing in the wild as a result. However, the other native Solomon's-seals are also grown in gardens, so 'growing in a garden' cannot be used to identify Garden Solomon's-seal.
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