Practical
Plants

Helleborus viridis

Green Hellebore

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 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[18][2][16], this poison can possibly be absorbed through the skin[17].

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, cardiac, cathartic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, irritant, violently narcotic and a drastic purgative[13][18][9][14]. The dried root is used, it contains the alkaloids nervine, pseudo-nervine and veratridine[10]. It is best to harvest the root in the autumn[10]. The plant is useful for reducing blood pressure in various conditions of hypertension[10].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Cardiac
Product or use
Cathartic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Hypotensive
Product or use
Irritant
Product or use
Narcotic
Product or use
Purgative

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[17][10]. This use is somewhat dangerous, see the notes above on toxicity. Plants are suitable for ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way[8].

Product or use
Parasiticide

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Central and western Europe, including Britain.
Habitat
Woods, scrub and sunny banks on moist chalk and limestone soils[18][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]. Division after flowering or in autumn. Take care since the plant resents disturbance[3][7].

Cultivation

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

Cultivation of this plant is not always easy, it prefers a rich limy soil in partial shade[6]. One report says that the plant requires an alkaline soil[5]. Succeeds in any good garden soil[1], preferring a moist well-drained rich loam in a sheltered position in partial shade[1][13][12][3]. Succeeds when grown in the shade of a north-facing wall[11]. Does not object to lime[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils[7]. Dislikes drought. 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[19]. 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[15].

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

  12. Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  19. 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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