Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum("Amadokoro")
Japanese name: アマドコロ（甘野老） Scientific name:Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum
[Overview]
A perennial found in mountains and fields.
The rhizome is cylindrical.
The stem is 25–110 cm long and ridged, and the upper part arches.
The leaves are simple and alternate in two rows, ovate to oblong, 6.8–19 cm long and 1.8–6.5 cm wide, with entire margins.
Corymbs emerge from the leaf axils, each hanging 1–2 tubular flowers that are white with green tips.
The flowers are 1.4–1.9 cm long.
The fruit is a spherical berry 1 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 comes from the roots resembling those of tokoro (of the yam family, Dioscoreaceae) and being sweet.
