Solomon's seal

¹ American  

noun

1. a mystic or talismanic symbol in the form of an interlaced outline of either a five-pointed or six-pointed star.

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Solomon's-seal ² American  

[sol-uh-muhnz-seel] / ˈsɒl ə mənzˌsil /

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Polygonatum, of the lily family, having a thick rootstock bearing seallike scars, greenish-yellow flowers, and red or blue berries.

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Solomon's seal British  

noun

1. another name for Star of David

2. any of several liliaceous plants of the genus Polygonatum of N temperate regions, having greenish or yellow paired flowers, long narrow waxy leaves, and a thick underground stem with prominent leaf scars

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Etymology

Origin of Solomon's seal¹

First recorded in 1535–45

Origin of Solomon's-seal¹

1535–45; translation of Medieval Latin sigillum Solomōnis

Example Sentences

The shady bed where astilbes went to die is now filled with resilient hostas, a variety of sturdy ferns and rhizomatous Solomon’s seal.

From Seattle Times

Of equally impressive stature, at up to 7 feet tall, is giant Solomon’s seal, which has arching stems that hold little white, bell-like flowers in the spring and blue fruit in the fall.

From Seattle Times

It’s no surprise that Solomon’s seal is in the asparagus family, as its shoots taste somewhat similar to that spring standard.

From Seattle Times

Then he thought again, offering another suggestion: Try planting it with ostrich fern and giant Solomon’s seal, which hail from the same kind of spots.

From Seattle Times

The latter course is especially effective in spring-themed beds, where bulbs pop up between such things as hellebores, epimediums, creeping phlox, foam flowers, Virginia bluebells, Solomon’s seal and ferns.

From Washington Post