Botanical name: Paris polyphylla    Family: Melanthiaceae (Bunchflower family)

Himalayan Paris is a much sought after beautiful and romantic plant with amazing spidery flowers. The botanical name Paris means equal, and polyphylla means many-leaved. Himalayan Paris is a creeping rhizomatous forest plant with erect stem growing to 40 cm. It has 4-9 elliptic leaves occuring in a whorl. Flowers occur single at the end of branches. The flower has a ring of 4-6 green leaf-like perianth segments (which play the role of speals/petals), which are 5-10 cm long. There is an inner ring of long purple or yellow perianth segments which look like spider legs. Ten short stamens are arranged again in a ring. Flowers are followed by a globular fruit with scarlet seeds. Himalayan Paris is found in the Himalayas, from Pakistan to W China, at altitudes of 2000-3000 m. Flowering: April-May.
Medicinal uses: Himalayan Paris is a folk medicinal plant in the Indian Himalayan Region, traditionally used against analgesic, antibacterial, anti- phlogistic, antispasmodic, antitussive, any poisonous bites, burn, cut or injury, depurative, detoxification, diarrhea, dressing, dysentery, febrifuge, fever, gastric, gastritis, intestinal wounds, narcotic, poisoning, rashes or itching, scabies, skin diseases, sleeplessness, snake bite, stomach pain, typhoid, ulcer and wounds. It is a much sought after plant, making it an endangered species becuase of over-exploitation.

Your name:
Your email:
Your comments
The flower labeled Himalayan Paris is ...