Paris fargesii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Paris polyphylla var. fargesii
• Paris polyphylla subsp. fargesii
• Daiswa fargesii var. brevipetalata
• Paris fargesii var. latipetala
• Paris petiolata var. membranacea
• Paris fargesii var. macrosepala
• Daiswa fargesii
• Paris fargesii var. brevipetalata
• Paris hookeri

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Liliales, it is a member of the family Melanthiaceae. Its taxonomic identity is further defined by its placement within the genus Paris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning several key regions across Asia. Within China, it is specifically documented to grow in the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its distribution extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it can be found in Assam and the East Himalaya. Additionally, the species is located within the Indo-China region, specifically in Myanmar. Together, these locations highlight a widespread presence across subtropical and montane landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Paris fargesii is characterized by its specific altitudinal distribution within montane environments. This species occupies a broad vertical gradient, thriving at elevations ranging from a minimum of 550 m AMSL to a maximum of 2100 m AMSL. Throughout its natural habitat, it maintains a mean elevational presence at approximately 1325 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-to-high altitude ecological zones where specific temperature and moisture regimes are met.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1325 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

550 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Paris fargesii is characterized by its specialized survival strategies, primarily functioning as a cryptophyte, which allows it to endure unfavorable environmental conditions by protecting its vital organs underground. Specifically, it is classified as a geophyte, meaning it relies on specialized underground storage organs to persist through seasonal changes and periods of dormancy. This life form enables the plant to emerge during favorable growing seasons, utilizing stored energy to support its development before retreating back into the soil to survive extreme temperatures or dry spells.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Paris fargesii is characterized by its non-woody, herbaceous structure, functioning as a self-supporting plant that does not require climbing assistance. It grows as an independent, terrestrial species, meaning it is neither a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 0.75 m, though its size can vary according to environmental conditions, with recorded heights ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.75 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Paris fargesii is characterized by a distinct vegetative morphology, particularly within its foliar structure which plays a crucial role in its photosynthetic capacity. The leaves exhibit significant dimensional variation, with lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 9 cm to a maximum of 20 cm, maintaining a mean leaf length of approximately 14.5 cm. Complementing this longitudinal development is a substantial width profile, where leaf widths span from a minimum of 4.5 cm to a maximum of 14 cm. This variation in leaf surface area suggests an adaptive physiological mechanism for optimizing light interception within its specific ecological niche, balancing the metabolic demands of the plant through a specialized leaf architecture.

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length mean:

14.5 cm

Leaf length min:

9 cm

Leaf width max:

14 cm

Leaf width min:

4.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Paris fargesii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome.

Rhizome

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Paris fargesii has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include H-, Polyphylliin VII.

H-

1. BMC plant biology

Polyphylliin VII

1. BMC plant biology