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Veratrum viride Aiton False hellebore, green false hellebore, Indian poke, American hellebore
False hellebore is native to the eastern and western areas of the US and Canada. It has a penchant for moist meadows and open forests. A name as colorful as false hellebore deserves a little research. Turns out false hellebore is so named because it looks like real hellebore, which in turn is a member of the Helleborus species. And Helleborus derives from the Greek name for H. orientalis, ἑλλέβορος (helléboros), from elein ”to injure,” and βορά (borá), ”food.” (In botany, “false” means “easily confused with a similar, previously named plant.”) Identification: This is a rather handsome looking species, making a rather prominent impression in wooded habitats. Plants are 28-79" (70-200 cm) in height, with large leaves 4-14" (10-35 cm) × 1¾-8" (5-20 cm) spirally arranged around a straight stem. Leaves are elliptic to broadly lanceolate, with conspicuous parallel ribs and hairy undersides. Flowers are arranged in a conical shape atop the plant, 12-28" (30-70 cm) tall; individual flowers are star-shaped, hairy, ⅛-⅜" (5-12 mm) long, and green, with six green or yellow green tepals. It flowers from July to August. Fruits are a small capsule. Edibility: Medical: In the 1950s and 60s, standardized preparations derived from false hellebore were used to bring overly fast heart rates and high blood pressure down. The practice was later discontinued. Online References:
The New England Wildflower Society’s GoBotany site Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants
6/13/2021 · Cathance River Nature Preserve, Topsham, Maine
5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts
7/12/2015 · Smuggler’s Notch, Cambridge, Vermont
5/2/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire
6/13/2021 · Cathance River Nature Preserve, Topsham, Maine
7/12/2015 · Smuggler’s Notch, Cambridge, Vermont
7/12/2015 · Smuggler’s Notch, Cambridge, Vermont
5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts
4/23/2016 · Big Tree/Porcupine Trail, Beaver, Hollis, Massachusetts
5/14/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire Veratrum viride Aiton ssp. eschscholtzii (A. Gray) A. Löve & D. Löve Veratrum eschscholtzianum (Schult. & Schult. f.) Rydb. ex A. Heller Veratrum eschscholtzii A. Gray Veratrum eschscholtzii A. Gray var. incriminatum B. Boivin Veratrum viride Aiton var. eschscholtzii (A. Gray) Breitung
Veratrum viride description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 17 Aug 2021.
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7/12/2015 · Smuggler’s Notch, Cambridge, Vermont
5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts
5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts
5/13/2012 · Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest, Lowell, Massachusetts
7/13/2015 · Mt. Mansfield, Stowe/Cambridge, Vermont
4/29/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire
4/25/2021 · Cathance River Nature Preserve, Topsham, Maine
7/13/2015 · Mt. Mansfield, Stowe/Cambridge, Vermont
7/13/2015 · Mt. Mansfield, Stowe/Cambridge, Vermont
7/12/2015 · Smuggler’s Notch, Cambridge, Vermont
5/18/2021 · Cathance River Nature Preserve, Topsham, Maine
5/3/2014 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire Range:
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Poisonous. Any part of this plant, especially the roots,
induces nausea and vomiting, followed by drops in respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure,
often leading to death. It is poisonous to animals as well as people. If eaten, the result is burning of the mouth and throat,
salivation, headache, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, sweating, and convulsions.
