Paris chinensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Paris polyphylla var. chinensis
• Daiswa polyphylla var. chinensis
• Daiswa chinensis
• Paris formosana
• Daiswa chinensis subsp. brachysepala
• Paris brachysepala
• Paris polyphylla var. platypetala
• Paris kwantungensis
• Paris polyphylla var. kwantungensis

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Liliales, it is further categorized under the family Melanthiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Paris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in East and Southeast Asia. In China, it is commonly found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence extends to the island of Taiwan within the Eastern Asia region. Additionally, the species is located within the Indo-China peninsula. Specifically, it can be identified in both Thailand and Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Paris chinensis is characterized by its specialized survival strategies within shaded forest ecosystems, functioning primarily as a geophyte under the cryptophyte life form classification. As a geophyte, the plant relies on its underground storage organs to endure unfavorable environmental conditions, allowing it to remain dormant during periods of stress and re-emerge when conditions become optimal for growth. Its status as a cryptophyte indicates that its regenerative buds are located below the soil surface, protected from herbivory and seasonal temperature fluctuations by the earth. This evolutionary adaptation enables the plant to maintain a perennial existence, cycling through stages of vegetative growth and seasonal flowering while utilizing its subterranean structures to ensure long-term persistence in the forest understory.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Paris chinensis is characterized by a non-climbing, terrestrial growth habit, as it functions as an independent organism rather than a climber; specifically, it is not an obligatory, facultative, or self-supporting climber. It maintains a completely independent nutritional status, lacking any parasitic nature, and is strictly terrestrial rather than being an obligatory, facultative, or obligatory epiphyte. The plant typically features a fleshy rhizome from which single, large, lanceolate leaves emerge in a whorl, supporting a solitary, drooping terminal flower.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Paris chinensis has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, rhizome, stem.

Leaf

1. Bioorganic chemistry

Rhizome

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Stem

1. Bioorganic chemistry

Chemicals

Paris chinensis has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Acetyl CoA, As, CD, CR, CU.

Acetyl CoA

1. Journal of proteomics

As

1. Biological trace element research

CD

1. Biological trace element research

CR

1. Biological trace element research

CU

1. Biological trace element research

Calonysterone

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chonglouoside H

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Daucosterol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Flavonoids

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Formosanin C

1. International journal of immunopharmacology

Activities

Paris chinensis has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hemostatic.

Hemostatic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations