Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, commonly known as Dian Chong Lou, is a deciduous perennial herb native to the understory of temperate forests in the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. It typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters) and a width of 0.4-1 feet (0.1-0.3 meters). This plant features a whorl of lance-shaped leaves topped with a single, unusual flower. The flowers, which appear in summer and fall, are composed of yellow-green sepals and petals that surround a central cluster of dark purple to black stamens, creating a striking contrast.

Dian Chong Lou is valued for its unique flower structure and is often used in shaded woodland gardens or as an accent plant in borders. It thrives in humus-rich, well-drained soil and requires consistent moisture to mimic its native forest floor habitat. While it prefers part shade, it can tolerate deeper shade conditions. Gardeners should be aware that this plant can be slow to establish and may take several years to flower. It is not commonly afflicted by diseases or pests, but its roots are sought after in traditional medicine, which has led to overharvesting in the wild.CC BY-SA 4.0