September 2019:
David's harp or ladder-to-heaven [Polygonatum multiflorum] (Vielblütige Weisswurz oder Wald-Salomonssiegel): it's berries are turning blue now. This plant belongs to the Asparagaceae family and is quite common in our forests. The whole plant including the berries is poisonous (similar to the lily-of-the-valley). The flowers can only be pollinated by insects with a long proboscis (e. g. bumblebees). Its white rhizome (--> German name) adds a knot every year out of which a pedicle grows. When it cicatrizes it looks a bit like a seal (--> Salomon's seal). Its stem is round whereas the very similar scented Solomon's-seal's [Polygonatum odoratum] (Gemeine Weisswurz oder Echtes Samomonssiegel) stem is square. In fairy tales and legends the owner of this plant's root can open locked doors and find hidden springs!
