Paris polyphylla

Strange as it may seem, this paris hails from China, where it is widespread throughout the southern region in conditions similar to where trillium grow. In fact, paris is a trillium cousin, although the above-ground appearance is quite different. Paris polyphylla is relatively easy to grow, provided you don't start with dried up, mostly dead rhizomes sold by bulb dealers. In spring, the 2' tall stalks are topped with an umbrella of 12 or more leaflets, which is then topped with a flower stalk that resembles orange, radial, cat-like whiskers. If it sets fruit, the whiskers are replaced by bright red berries if there was a mate nearby during flowering. Average, well-drained, woodland soil should be fine. Sometimes paris has the pesky habit of skipping above-ground growth for the first year after transplanting, so don't give up hope. This is not a species that thrives in climates with long hot summers, and mild winters.