Practical
Plants

Veratrum nigrum

Black Hellebore

a perennial member of the Veratrum genus in the family Melanthiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.5 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera

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 highly poisonous[3][7].

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.

The root is anthelmintic, emetic, errhine, expectorant, laxative and vermifuge[3][8]. This herb is highly toxic and should not be used internally, or even externally, without expert guidance[K]. The whole plant is analgesic[8].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Errhine
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Vermifuge

Material uses

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

The dried and powdered root is used as an insecticide and a parasiticide[2]. It is also effective against caterpillars and mammals so great caution is advised[1][5][6].

Product or use
Insecticide

Environment

Range
S. Europe to E. Asia.
Habitat
Dry glades and water meadows, mountain slopes, scrub and rarely in broad-leaved woods in Siberia[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Unless stored in damp sand at around 4°c the seed has a short viability[7]. Where possible it is best to sow the seed in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[7]. Stored seed needs to be stratified but can be very slow to germinate. Germination can be erratic even for seed sown when it was fresh, it usually takes place within 3 - 12 months at 15°c but can be much longer[7]. The plant produces just one seedleaf in its first year, this forms an over-wintering bulb. It takes up to 10 years for the plant to reach maturity[7]. Sow the seed thinly so there is no need to thin or transplant them, and grow the seedlings on undisturbed in the pot for their first two years of growth. Apply a liquid feed at intervals through the growing season to ensure the plants do not become nutrient deficient. At the end of the second year plant out the dormant plants into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for a further year or two before planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division in March/April or in October. Establish the plants in pots in a shaded frame before planting them out[7]. Division is best carried out in the autumn because the plants come into growth very early in the spring[9]. Root cuttings, 6mm long with a bud, rooted in a sandy soil in a cold frame[7].

Cultivation

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

Requires a deep fertile moisture retentive humus-rich soil[7]. Succeeds in full sun if the soil does not dry out but prefers a position in semi-shade[7]. Dislikes dry soils[10]. Grows best in a cool woodland garden or a north facing border[10]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[4], especially if they are given a protective mulch in the winter. The flowers smell of rotten fruit and are visited by flies[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[9]. Plants are long-lived and can be left in the same position for years without attention[9].

References

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

    ↩

  2. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩

  3. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  5. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩

  6. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

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  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↩9

  8. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. 1938-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  11. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

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