• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 2002

Morphological characteristics and growth pattern of 10 Polygonatum collections indigenous to Korea were examined to select the promising medicinal, edible resources and horticultural crops. Plant heights of I0 collections ranged from 15 to 102cm. Stem type was ascending or erect, and node numbers per a stem was 6.2 to 23.2. Phyllotaxis type was alternate or verticillate, and leaf shape was elliptical or linear. Leave numbers per a stem was 5.2 to 63.4, and bract types were classified into bracteate and nonbracteate. Flowers bloomed from May 7 to May 30, and flowering period was 5 to 13 days. Inflorescence types were classified into racemose, corymbose, and umbellate. Flower numbers per a stem was 1.5 to 125.2, and flower length was 13.1 to 30.2㎜. Perianth shapes were classified into tubular, constrict and urceolate. Surface colors of rhizome were pale yellow, pale brown, brown, and dark brown. As a result of this experiment, P. sibiricum, P. odoratum var. pluriflorum and P. odoratum var. thunbergii were thought to be useful as the medicinal and edible resources plants. On the other hand, P. odoratum var. pluriflorum 'Variegata', and P. odoratum var. maximowiczii, P. lasianthum. P. involucratum, P. desoulavyi, P. humile, and P. inflatum were thought to be useful as horticultural plants.