Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua

Polygonatum zhejiangense X. J. Xue & H. Yao (Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin 14: 242. 1994) seems to be related to, or conspecific with, P. cyrtonema but its leaves are cirrose at the apex. No specimens have been seen by the present authors. Polygonatum jinzhaiense D. C. Zhang & J. Z. Shao (in D. C. Zhang et al., Guihaia 20: 34. 2000) was recently described from W Anhui (Jinzhai Xian). Although the present authors have not seen the type specimen, it is evident from the description that P. jinzhaiense is similar to P. cyrtonema and P. arisanense in general, but differs from these two species in rhizome shape and the position of the thickening part along the filaments—characters which are usually stable in Polygonatum. Further studies are needed to clarify whether or not P. jinzhaiense is distinct.

Rhizome usually moniliform or tuberous moniliform, rarely subterete, 1--2 cm thick. Stem erect, 50--100 cm, glabrous. Leaves 10--15, alternate; petiole short; leaf blade elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, occasionally falcate, 10--18 × 2--7 cm, apex usually acuminate. Inflorescences umbel-like, (1 or)2--7(--14)-flowered; peduncle 1--4(--6) cm; bracts borne on proximal part of pedicel, small, or absent. Flowers pendulous; pedicel 0.5--1.5(--3) cm. Perianth yellowish green, campanulate-cylindric, 1.8--2.5 cm; lobes ca. 3 mm. Filaments slightly compressed, 3--4 mm, papillose or shortly cottony, apically slightly dilated or saccate-convex; anthers 3.5--4 mm. Ovary 3--6 mm. Style 1.2--1.5 cm. Berries black, ca. 1 cm in diam., 3--9-seeded. Fl. May--Jun, fr. Aug--Oct. 2 n = 18*, 20*, 22*.

Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, ?S Shaanxi (Qin Ling), Sichuan, Zhejiang.

* Forests, thickets, shaded slopes; 500--2100 m.

Polygonatum brachynema Handel-Mazzetti; P. henryi Diels; P. martini H. Léveillé; P. multiflorum Allioni var. longifolium Merrill.