This lovely Eurasian woodland plant is related to the American trillium, and thrives in light shade and moist soil. The botanical type has four leaves, but plants with five, six, or seven leaves occur. Herb paris spreads by means of underground rhizomes; three small specimens I set out under the quince tree in the northeastern quadrant of the herb garden some eleven or twelve years ago have now formed a colony more than three feet across. Like trillium, it is difficult to germinate from seed, and is best propagated by division. The plant goes dormant in late summer and disappears from view; it is best not to disturb herb paris while it is at rest, but the rhizomes can be dug, divided, and transplanted in early spring.