Polygonatum , also known as King Solomon's-seal or Solomon's seal, is a genus of flowering plants. In the APG III classification system, it is placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae (formerly the family Ruscaceae). It has also been classified in the former family Convallariaceae and, like many lilioid monocots, was formerly classified in the lily family, Liliaceae. The genus is distributed throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Most of the approximately 63 species occur in Asia, with 20 endemic to China. Etymology Polygonatum comes from the ancient Greek for "many knees", referring to the multiple jointed rhizome. One explanation for the derivation of the common name "Solomon's seal" is that the roots bear depressions which resemble royal seals. Another is that the cut roots resemble Hebrew characters. Description The fruits are red or black berries. Taxonomy Species The following species are recognised in the genus Polygonatum: Polygonatum acuminatifolium Polygonatum adnatum Polygonatum amabile Polygonatum angelicum Polygonatum annamense Polygonatum arisanense Polygonatum autumnale Polygonatum × azegamii Polygonatum biflorum (including Polygonatum commutatum) – Solomon's seal, smooth or great Solomon's seal – Eastern and central North America Polygonatum brevistylum Polygonatum × buschianum Polygonatum campanulatum Polygonatum cathcartii Polygonatum cirrhifolium – tendril-leaf Solomon's seal – Southern China Polygonatum costatum Polygonatum cryptanthum Polygonatum curvistylum Polygonatum cyrtonema – Solomon's seal – Eastern Asia Polygonatum daminense Polygonatum × desoulavyi Polygonatum × domonense Polygonatum falcatum – Eastern Asia Polygonatum filipes Polygonatum franchetii Polygonatum geminiflorum Polygonatum glaberrimum Polygonatum gongshanense Polygonatum govanianum Polygonatum graminifolium Polygonatum grandicaule Polygonatum griffithii Polygonatum hirtellum Polygonatum hookeri Polygonatum humile – dwarf Solomon's seal – Eastern Asia Polygonatum × hybridum – garden Solomon's seal – Europe Polygonatum inflatum – Eastern Asia Polygonatum infundiflorum Polygonatum involucratum – Asia Polygonatum jinzhaiense Polygonatum kingianum – Solomon's seal – Asia Polygonatum × krylovii Polygonatum lasianthum – Korean Solomon's seal – Eastern Asia Polygonatum latifolium Polygonatum leiboense Polygonatum longistylum Polygonatum luteoverrucosum Polygonatum macranthum Polygonatum macropodum – big footed Solomon's seal – Asia Polygonatum megaphyllum Polygonatum mengtzense Polygonatum multiflorum – (common) Solomon's seal – Europe Polygonatum nervulosum Polygonatum nodosum Polygonatum odoratum – scented (or angular) Solomon's seal – Europe Polygonatum omeiense Polygonatum oppositifolium Polygonatum orientale – oriental Solomon's seal – Western Asia, Eastern Europe Polygonatum prattii Polygonatum × pseudopolyanthemum Polygonatum pubescens – downy/hairy Solomon's seal – Eastern North America Polygonatum punctatum Polygonatum qinghaiense Polygonatum robustum Polygonatum roseum Polygonatum sewerzowii Polygonatum sibiricum – Huang Jing, Siberian Solomon's seal – Eastern Asia Polygonatum singalilense Polygonatum sparsifolium Polygonatum