Seasonal Wild Flowers

Herb-Paris

Paris quadrifolia

Melanthiaceae

May to June

It is found throughout the country, except for the far Southwest.

See the BSBI distribution map for Herb-Paris

It grows in ancient, calcareous woodland and in grikes on open

limestone pavement.

In woodland, it flowers best in the open stages of coppicing,

especially Hazel coppice.

Herb-Paris is a native, rhizomatous, perennial herb, growing

up to 40cm.

The flowers have 4 broadly lanceolate sepals, up to 3.5cm,

and 4 thin, green, flattened and pointed petals about as long

as the sepals.

The 8 stamens are up to 5cm long and thin with linear,

yellow anthers.

The ovary is globular, blackish-purple, and with 4 purple

styles.

The leaves are in whorls of 3 to 8 (here 4 or 5) below the

flowers.

They are veined, broadly oval and up to 12cm

Herb-Paris, Powerstock Common, Dorset

Whorl of leaves with flower above

4 broad sepals and 4 narrow petals

Linear anthers and purple-black ovary