Herb Paris Paris quadrifolia
This distinctive perennial, growing up to 40cms in height, is found in ancient moist oak and ash woodlands, often along streamsides. It flowers and fruits most freely in the open stages of the coppice cycle, but can persist in deep shade. It flowers in May and June and pollination mainly occurs by wind or self-pollination, insect pollination being very rare. As its latin name implies, the plant usually has 4 leaves in a whorl around the flower, but there are often more. The black berries are poisonous, containing solanine. Vegetative spread through rhizomes may result in large stands which develop slowly but these long-standing patches can easily be lost through changes in woodland management, and distribution of this species has declined substantially in recent years.
Herb Paris. Paris quadrifolia
