Polygonatum lasianthum var. lasianthum ("Miyamanarukoyuri")

Japanese name: ミヤマナルコユリ （深山鳴子百合）
Scientific name: Polygonatum lasianthum var. lasianthum

[Overview]
A perennial found in forests in the mountains.
The rhizomes are connected like beads on a string.
The stem is 25–75 cm long and ridged, often tinged with purple, and the upper part arches.
The leaves are simple and alternate in two rows, broadly ovate to oblong, 6–11 cm long, with entire margins.
Corymbs emerge from the leaf axils, each hanging 2–3 tubular flowers that are white with green tips.
The flowers are 1.4–2.4 cm long.
The fruit is a spherical berry 0.8–1.2 cm in diameter, ripening blackish purple.

[Uses]
The rhizome is used medicinally.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division.
Cut the rhizome apart at the base where it branches.
It is not particular about soil as long as the site is well drained and well ventilated.
It prefers a place with sun from autumn to spring and partial shade in midsummer.
It is easy to grow.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
If base fertilizer is applied, further fertilizing is not particularly necessary, but organic fertilizer in winter improves growth from spring and makes the clump thicker.
Because the underground stems spread sideways, a plant left in the ground for several years will shift position, so replant it at that point.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

[Notes]
The Japanese name likens the hanging flowers to a naruko (a clapper used to scare birds away in rice fields).

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