Paris

Paris, commonly known as Good King Henry, is a distinctive perennial herb prized for its unique botanical beauty and medicinal history. Characterized by its single, star-like flower, this plant has long been studied for its bioactive compounds, offering intriguing potential in traditional herbal practices and modern pharmacological research.

  • Scientific name: Paris
  • Family: Melanthiaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Liliales. Finally, it is a member of the family Melanthiaceae and falls under the genus Paris.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Liliales WCVP
Family Melanthiaceae WCVP
Genus Paris WCVP

Common Names

This plant, belonging to the genus Paris, is known by various common names across different linguistic contexts. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 重楼属 (zh-hans) or 重楼属 (zh-cn), and specifically as 重楼 (zh-sg). In Traditional Chinese, it is called 重樓 (zh-hant), while in the Hong Kong dialect, it is known as 重樓 (zh-hk).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 重楼属 Wikidata
zh-hant 重樓 Wikidata
zh-hk 重樓 Wikidata
zh-cn 重楼属 Wikidata
zh-sg 重楼 Wikidata
zh-tw 重樓屬 Wikidata
pl Czworolist Wikidata
ru Вороний глаз Wikidata
myv Варакань сельме Wikidata
de Einbeeren Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated across several regions in Northern Europe. Its presence can be documented throughout the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Additionally, it is found within the northern landscapes of Finland and Norway. The species also extends its reach to the islands of Great Britain and Iceland. Together, these locations define the primary northern habitats where this medicinal plant thrives.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Finland WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Iceland WCVP
Northern Europe Norway WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as Paris, is a perennial herb characterized by a distinct morphological structure. The medicinal properties are primarily concentrated in its underground organs, specifically within the thick, fleshy rhizomes and the fibrous roots that anchor it to the soil. Above the surface, the plant features broad, dark green leaves that grow in a characteristic whorl. These above-ground parts support the plant's photosynthetic processes, eventually giving rise to a single, solitary flower that emerges from the center of the foliage.
Total parts
5
Scientific sources
6
Plant Part Sources Confidence
rhizomes 2 ★☆☆☆☆
roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
organs 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
above-ground parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Paris has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, cyclic peptides, dioscin, gracillin, phenols.

Total chemicals
14
Scientific sources
15

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
cyclic peptides 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dioscin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gracillin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
phenols 1 ★☆☆☆☆
phytosterols 1 ★☆☆☆☆
polyphylliin Ⅶ 1 ★☆☆☆☆
polyphyllin I 1 ★☆☆☆☆
polyphyllin II 1 ★☆☆☆☆
polyphyllin VI 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Paris has 11 reported activities identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antitumor, Hemostatic, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Analgesic.

Total activities
11
Scientific sources
20

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antitumor 5 ★★★☆☆
Hemostatic 4 ★★☆☆☆
Anticancer 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anthelmintic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antineoplastic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Paris has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, antineoplastic, bleeding, cancer, gastritis.

Total uses
9
Scientific sources
9

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antineoplastic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bleeding 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gastritis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
joint pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆
lung cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rheumatoid arthritis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
sedative 1 ★☆☆☆☆