Herb Paris
Paris polyphylla

Family: Trilliaceae

What it is like

Paris polyphylla is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

Broad-leaved and mixed woodlands to 3000 metres in the Himalayas. Forests, bamboo forests, thickets, grassy or rocky slopes and streamsides, 100 - 3500 metres in western China.

E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Seed. A sweet flavour, but mawkish.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The roots are analgesic, antiphlogistic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, antitussive, depurative, febrifuge and narcotic. They posses anthelmintic properties. A decoction of the roots is used in the treatment of poisonous snake bites, boils and ulcers, diphtheria and epidemic Japanese B encephalitis. A paste of the roots is used as a poultice to treat cuts and wounds. The juice of the roots has been used as an anthelmintic. The roots have shown antibacterial action against Bacillus dysenteriae, B. typhi, B. paratyphi, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, haemolytic streptococci, Meningococci etc. The whole plant is febrifuge.

Analgesic: Relieves pain.

Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.

Antiphlogistic: Reduces inflammation.

Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.

Antitussive: Prevents or relieves coughing.

Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Narcotic: Relieves pain, induces drowsiness and gives a sense of well-being.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Easily grown in a moist humus-rich soil in woodland conditions, succeeding in full or partial shade. Prefers a light sandy loam. This species is hardy to about -15°c according to one report, though another says that plants only succeed outdoors in southern and western Britain. Overcollection of this plant from the wild for medicinal purposes is a cause of conservation concern. A very variable species, with a large number of subspecies recognised. Plants are very slow to flower from seed. The individual flowers are very long-lived, lasting for up to 3 months.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in late summer in light shade in a greenhouse. Sow stored seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is received. The seed is very slow to germinate. It produces a primary root about 7 months after sowing, this pulls the seed deeper into the soil. Leaves are produced about 4 months later. Sow the seed thinly in fairly deep pots so that the seedlings can be grown on for their first two years without disturbance. Once they have germinated, give them a regular weak liquid feed to ensure that they do not suffer from nutrient deficiency. Once the plants are dormant at the end of their second year of growth, divide them up and put one plant in each pot. Grow them on for at least another year in a shady part of the greenhouse before planting them out into their permanent positions. Division.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Poisonous.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Paris polyphylla. Smith.