The
genus name Polygonatum comes from the
Greek words "poly", meaning "many", and "gonu", meaning "knee joint". This is in reference to the plant's jointed
rhizomes. The Latin
specific epithetodoratum means "scented".[5]
Description
Polygonatum odoratum is a colonizing
herbaceousperennial growing to 85 cm (33 in) tall by 30 cm (12 in) wide, with alternate, simple
leaves on arching stems. The scented tubular
flowers are white with green tips, borne in spring and hanging from the underside of the stems.[2]
This plant species is described in the work Plantas Medicinales (medicinal plants) of
Pius Font i Quer.[9] According to it, its
rhizome contains
asparagine,
mucilage, a cardio-tonic
glycoside,
saponin, and
quinine gluconate. It has been used for intestinal problems and pain, for rheumatism,
gout,
water retention, and as a diuretic. He says that the scientific medicine has used it to treat
diabetes. He also describes a
digestive liquor that uses the rhizome of this plant.
The young shoots of the plants may be boiled and served like asparagus. The stems, leaves, and berries, however, must be treated with caution, as they are thought to be toxic if consumed in large quantities.[10]