This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Paris quadrifolia
  • Herb Paris

a perennial member of the Paris genus in the family Trilliaceae.

Illustration Paris quadrifolia0.jpg
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Partial sun
    Partial sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline,very alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Paris quadrifolia has 1 material uses listed
Paris quadrifolia has 7 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The plant is poisonous in large doses[1][2][3][4]. This refers to the fruit[5].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Paris quadrifolia.

Material uses

A red dye is obtained from the berries[2]. A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves[6].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The entire plant, harvested just as it is coming into flower, is antirheumatic and detergent[2][7][8]. In large doses the herb is narcotic, producing nausea, vomiting, vertigo etc[9]. It should be used with great caution, overdoses have proved fatal to children[9]. In small doses it is of benefit in the treatment of bronchitis, spasmodic coughs, rheumatism, colic etc[9]. The plant is also used in the treatment of headaches and neuralgia[7][8].

The seeds and the berries have something of the nature of opium, they have been used as an aphrodisiac[9]. A tincture of the fresh plant is useful as an antidote to poisoning by mercurial sublimate and arsenic[9]. A cooling ointment made from the seeds and juice of the leaves is applied externally to wounds, tumours and inflammations[9]. The juice of the berries is used to treat eye inflammations[9].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[9].

Unknown part

Antidote
Antirheumatic
Aphrodisiac
Detergent
Homeopathy
Narcotic
Ophthalmic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in late summer in a cold frame. Sow stored seed in a cold frame 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[6]. Sow the seed thinly so that it does not need to be thinned and grow the young plants on undisturbed in a shady part of the greenhouse for their first two years of growth. Give an occasional liquid feed in the growing season to ensure the plants do not become nutrient deficient. At the end of the second year's growth prick out the young plants into individual pots and grow them on for another year or two in a shady part of the greenhouse before planting them out in the spring. Division.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Paris quadrifolia. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Easily grown in a humus-rich soil in woodland conditions[5]. Prefers a light sandy loam[10][11].

Plants are hardy to about -15°c[5]. The presence of this plant in a truly wild state in Britain is an indicator of ancient woodland[5]. Plants are very slow to flower from seed[6]. The flowers are very long-lived[5].

The flowers emit a strong unpleasant smell rather like decaying meat[12].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Paris quadrifolia. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Paris quadrifolia.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Paris quadrifolia
Genus
Paris
Family
Trilliaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[2][7][8][9]
Material uses & Functions
[2][6]
Botanic
[13][5]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Dye)
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Antidote)
  • Unknown part (Antirheumatic)
  • Unknown part (Aphrodisiac)
  • Unknown part (Detergent)
  • Unknown part (Homeopathy)
  • Unknown part (Narcotic)
  • Unknown part (Ophthalmic)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
partial sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.3 x meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Flies, Midges, Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    3. ? Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
    4. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 ? The Plantsman. Vol. 9. 1986 - 1987. Royal Horticultural Society (1986-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.59.69.79.8 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    10. ? Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. (1938-00-00)
    11. ? Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30253-1 (1989-00-00)
    12. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    13. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)


    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Paris_quadrifolia&oldid=79093"