Polygonatum odoratum var. maximowiczii ("Oamadokoro")

Japanese name: オオアマドコロ （大甘野老）
Scientific name: Polygonatum odoratum var. maximowiczii

[Overview]
A perennial found in hills and mountains, larger than Amadokoro, reaching as much as 1 m in height.
The rhizome is cylindrical.
The stem is 65–150 cm long and ridged, and the upper part arches.
The leaves are simple and alternate in two rows, ovate to oblong, about 10–20 cm long and 3–8 cm wide, with papillate projections on the veins of the underside.
The leaf margins are entire.
Corymbs emerge from the leaf axils, each hanging 2–4 tubular flowers that are white with green tips.
The flowers are 2–2.5 cm long.
Male flowers are borne on the upper part of the stem and bisexual flowers on the lower part.
The fruit is a spherical berry 1 cm in diameter, ripening blackish purple.

[Uses]
The young shoots are used as a wild vegetable, and 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.

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