The Paris Quadri Folia

The eenbes (Paris quadri folia) is a flowering, perennial plant which belongs to the Melanthiaceae (Melanthiaceae). Previously, the species with the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) classified. The specific epithet means four-leaved quadri folia. The genus Paris refers to the fact that all parts of the plant fours, but can also be derived from Greek mythology (see the Judgement of Paris). The plant is native to Eurasia and is also used in the ornamental garden. The eenbes is on the Dutch Red List of rare plants and moderately decreased.

The plant is 15-30 cm high and represents a creeping rhizome, from which a straight stem with a crown on top of four, sometimes five, broadly elliptical to oval opposite, shortly acuminate, incumbent leaves.

Eenbes the flowers from April to June. The flower has four sepals broad and four small, green flower petals, eight-pointed stamens and a pistil with four stamps. The fruit has a thick blue-black berry.

The plant is found in the south and east of the Netherlands in moist deciduous forests on Fri ot wet, moderately nutrient-rich soils.

The whole plant is toxic by the presence of saponins.

The plant used in homeopathy. Previously the plant was used against infectious diseases (pestbes).






Source: http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eenbes

See also: International Flower Delivery, Florist