Tony and all, According to the Paris herbarium (specimens) the form was introduced to the Ghent BG in 1975 by H. Stieperaere, originally collected near Zwevegem, Belgium in 1956. It was described as var. ramosum. I believe "multifide" is a rename of this as my plant from the BG came as this whereas another came as Ramosissimum. Oddly enough, our native biflorum was reported in the literature twice with branching forms and named, as well as pubescens which was grown by Fernald in MA at his garden! None are in cultivation any longer as far as I can tell. One biflorum was grown at Notre Dame in the 1940's. Aaron --- On Thu, 12/8/11, Tony Avent <Tony@plantdelights.com> wrote: From: Tony Avent <Tony@plantdelights.com> Subject: Re: [pbs] Polygonatum To: "'Pacific Bulb Society'" <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Date: Thursday, December 8, 2011, 5:37 AM Aaron: Glad you mentioned Polygonatum multiflorum 'Ramosissimum'/'Multifide'. This seems to be the only branching polygonatum, which would mean it has growing points on the stalk. Any idea where this originated and which name is correct? Tony Avent Plant Delights Nursery @ Juniper Level Botanic Garden 9241 Sauls Road Raleigh, North Carolina 27603 USA Minimum Winter Temps 0-5 F Maximum Summer Temps 95-105F USDA Hardiness Zone 7b email tony@plantdelights.com website http://www.plantdelights.com/ phone 919 772-4794 fax 919 772-4752 "I consider every plant hardy until I have killed it myself...at least three times" - Avent -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of aaron floden Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 4:03 PM To: Pacific Bulb Society Subject: Re: [pbs] Polygonatum Mark and others, Multiflorum seems common and a little bit variable across its broad range. The Caucasus forms are the most variable, but I have only 2. From France eastward to Hungary I have about 16 forms due to the generosity and kindness of a friend. The one area I would like to see it most is from Sicily. Those plants were considered a distinct species for a while. "Ramosissimum" is strange in being self-fertile whereas the typical multiflorum is not. Not sure if the seedlings come true. "Multifide" is the same plant -- I have them both. Send me an image of the Chinese plant; that's where all the excitement is! Aaron --- On Thu, 12/8/11, Mark BROWN <brown.mark@wanadoo.fr> wrote: From: Mark BROWN <brown.mark@wanadoo.fr> Subject: Re: [pbs] Polygonatum To: "Pacific Bulb Society" <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Date: Thursday, December 8, 2011, 2:37 AM Aaron, I have multiflorum wild and very common in my woods here. Odoratum I have collected from the Mont Ventoux and can collect more if you like next spring? I also grow that oddity P.multiflorum 'Ramosissimum'. And a few other species. One is an unidentified chinese climbing verticillate species that I would love to be identified. Kind regards, Mark.