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Summary
Physical Characteristics

Paris quadrifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, midges. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;
Edible Uses
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antianxiety Antidote Antirheumatic Aphrodisiac Detergent Homeopathy Narcotic Ophthalmic
The entire plant, harvested just as it is coming into flower, is antirheumatic and detergent[13, 61, 178]. In large doses the herb is narcotic, producing nausea, vomiting, vertigo etc[4]. It should be used with great caution, overdoses have proved fatal to children[4]. In small doses it is of benefit in the treatment of bronchitis, spasmodic coughs, rheumatism, colic etc[4]. The plant is also used in the treatment of headaches and neuralgia[61, 178]. The seeds and the berries have something of the nature of opium, they have been used as an aphrodisiac[4]. A tincture of the fresh plant is useful as an antidote to poisoning by mercurial sublimate and arsenic[4]. A cooling ointment made from the seeds and juice of the leaves is applied externally to wounds, tumours and inflammations[4]. The juice of the berries is used to treat eye inflammations[4]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[4].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Dye
A red dye is obtained from the berries[13]. A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves[137].
Special Uses
Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Easily grown in a humus-rich soil in woodland conditions[200]. Prefers a light sandy loam[42, 90]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200]. The presence of this plant in a truly wild state in Britain is an indicator of ancient woodland[200]. Plants are very slow to flower from seed[137]. The flowers are very long-lived[200]. The flowers emit a strong unpleasant smell rather like decaying meat[245].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
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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[137]. 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.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Related Plants
|
Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
Arthrocnemum subterminale | Glasswort, Parish's glasswort | Perennial | 0.3 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | M | 1 | 0 | |
Berberis parisepala | | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Capparis spinosa | Caper,Common Caper, Caper Bush | Shrub | 1.0 |
8-10
| F | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana | Lawson Cypress, Port orford cedar, Oregon Cedar, Port Orford Cedar, Lawson's Cypress | Tree | 25.0 |
5-7
| M | LMH | SN | DM | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis | Nootka Cypress, Nootka Cypress, Yellow Cypress, Alaska Cedar | Tree | 15.0 |
4-8
| M | LMH | SN | DM | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Chamaecyparis obtusa | Japanese cypress | Tree | 40.0 |
4-8
| M | LMH | N | M | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Chamaecyparis pisifera | Sawara cypress | Tree | 40.0 |
4-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Chamaecyparis thyoides | White Cypress, Atlantic white cedar, Coast White Cedar, Southern White Cedar, White Cypress | Tree | 10.0 |
4-9
| S | LMH | SN | DMWe | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Cupressocyparis leylandii | Leyland Cypress | Tree | 40.0 |
6-10
| F | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Ericameria parishii | Heath Goldenrod, Parish's rabbitbrush | Shrub | 1.0 |
8-11
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 1 | |
Liparis japonica | | Perennial | 0.3 |
-
| | LMH | S | M | 1 | 0 | |
Paris polyphylla | Herb Paris | Perennial | 1.0 |
7-10
| | LM | FS | M | 1 | 2 | |
Ribes divaricatum | Coastal Black Gooseberry, Spreading gooseberry, Parish's gooseberry, Straggly gooseberry | Shrub | 2.7 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | 2 |
Santolina chamaecyparissus | Cotton Lavender | Shrub | 0.6 |
6-9
| F | LM | N | DM | 2 | 2 | 3 |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
17200
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