Practical
Plants

Helleborus foetidus

Stinking Hellebore

a perennial evergreen member of the Helleborus genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.8 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Bees, Flies
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

All parts of the plant are poisonous[20][2][18], this poison can possibly be absorbed through the skin[19].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very toxic plant that is considered to be useful for reducing blood pressure in various conditions of hypertension[9]. Tthe root contains the alkaloids nervine, pseudo-nervine and veratridine[9]. It is best to harvest the root in the autumn and dry it for later use[9]. This species has similar medicinal properties to the black hellebore, H. niger[15]. These properties are:- Black hellebore is a very poisonous plant that is toxic when taken in all but the smallest doses. As such it should not be taken except under professional supervision. The plant contains cardiac glycosides which have a similar action to the foxglove (Digitalis spp) and it has been used as a heart stimulant for the elderly, though this treatment is no longer recommended[13]. The root is anthelmintic, cardiac, cathartic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, irritant, violently narcotic and a drastic purgative[15][20][8][16][11]. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[15]. It has been used in the treatment of dropsy, amenorrhoea, nervous disorders and hysteria, but it is very poisonous and great care must be taken over the dosage[15]. The root is also applied externally as a local irritant[15], but even this should be done with care, see notes above on toxicity. A homeopathic remedy is made from the roots[20]. It is used in the treatment of headaches, psychic disorders, enteritis and spasms[20].

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A decoction of the roots is used as a parasiticide against body lice, fleas etc[19][9]. This use is somewhat dangerous, see the notes above on toxicity.

Environment

Range
Western and southern Europe, including Britain, from Belgium to Spain and Italy.
Habitat
Woods, scrub and sunny banks on moist chalk and limestone soils[20][5][6].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1][4]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible[1], it usually germinates in the autumn to spring. Seed can take 18 months to germinate. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. This species produces flowering plants in 2 - 3 years from seed[7]. It is not possible to divide this species, but it is possible to take basal cuttings of young vegetative shoots[7]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any good garden soil[1], preferring a moist well-drained rich loam in a sheltered position in partial shade[1][15][14][3]. Plants are suitable for naturalizing in a woodland garden[7] and also succeed in the shade of a north-facing wall[10]. They do not object to lime[1]. Grow well in heavy clay soils[7]. Dislikes drought. The stems live for one or two years, dying after flowering[7]. Slugs are very fond of this plant and it will probably require some protection from them[6]. The various species in this genus hybridize freely[21]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[7]. The whole plant, especially when bruised, gives off an unpleasant smell that is similar to decaying meat[12]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their permanent positions whilst still small[7]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[17].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  2. Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-7011-2526-8

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  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

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  4. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

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  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  8. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  9. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  11. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

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  12. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  13. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

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  14. Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

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  15. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  16. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  17. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

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  18. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

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  19. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

    ↩1↩2

  20. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  21. Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3

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