downy Solomon's-seal, Polygonatum pubescens

Downy Solomon's-seal is a popular flower despite its lack of color. All those dangly little flowers that line up in a neat row beneath the stem appeal to us. This one was dangling right at the top of a forest cliff, so there wasn't much choice with background. The Iroquois used a decoction of the root on fish hooks to be sure to 'get a fish each and every cast'. They also used it for stomach gas and snowblindness. The Abnaki used it if spitting up blood. Downy is a woodland plant in CT, DE, GA, IA, IL(E), IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV, NB, NS, ON, and QC. Hocking Co OH, 5/16/13. Lily-of-the-valley family, Convallariaceae.