Paris

Another jewel for the woodland garden, shady border or in an open position, but with more soil moisture. Herbaceous, with upright stems, whorled leaves, topped with exotic, but delicate looking flowers, which are enhanced by a ruff of bracts, sometime coloured, (check out Paris japonica!). Thread-like petals, upright stamens, which eventually surround a single fruit, filled with seeds which are covered by a fleshy coating. Paris is derived from the latin for par, meaning equal, due to the regular placement of foliage and flower parts. Occasionally may be also be named as Daiswa or Kinugasa. One native species P. quadrifolia, herb paris, throughout much of England, Wales and into Scotland, but difficult to spot amongst other more vigorous woodlanders.

Although the flowers of Paris are exciting and intriguing, they do provide very little to garden wildlife. The flowers are devoid of nectar and generally scentless: it is assumed they are largely self-pollinated and perhaps wind-pollinated. However, dung-flies have been recorded at the flowers of some species, suggesting insects may have some part to play, and certainly hoverflies are likely to eat pollen off the exposed anthers. The berries seem to be unpalatable to birds, and are probably consumed (and the seeds dispersed) by small mammals.