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Helleborus viridis
  • Green Hellebore

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

Helleborus viridis01.jpg
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    Plants which grow close to or at soil level, not necessary providing a ground cover function.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • partial shade
    Partial shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline,very alkaline
    Acid to Very alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Helleborus viridis has 1 material uses listed
Helleborus viridis has 10 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

All parts of the plant are poisonous[1][2][3], this poison can possibly be absorbed through the skin[4].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Helleborus viridis.

Material uses

A decoction of the roots is used as a parasiticide against body lice, fleas etc[4][5]. This use is somewhat dangerous, see the notes above on toxicity. Plants are suitable for ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way[6].

Unknown part

Parasiticide

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root is anthelmintic, cardiac, cathartic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, irritant, violently narcotic and a drastic purgative[7][1][8][9]. The dried root is used, it contains the alkaloids nervine, pseudo-nervine and veratridine[5]. It is best to harvest the root in the autumn[5]. The plant is useful for reducing blood pressure in various conditions of hypertension[5].

Unknown part

Anthelmintic
Cardiac
Cathartic
Diuretic
Emetic
Emmenagogue
Hypotensive
Irritant
Narcotic
Purgative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[10][11]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible[10], 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[12]. Division after flowering or in autumn. Take care since the plant resents disturbance[13][12].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Helleborus viridis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Cultivation of this plant is not always easy, it prefers a rich limy soil in partial shade[14]. One report says that the plant requires an alkaline soil[15]. Succeeds in any good garden soil[10], preferring a moist well-drained rich loam in a sheltered position in partial shade[10][7][16][13]. Succeeds when grown in the shade of a north-facing wall[17]. Does not object to lime[10]. Grows well in heavy clay soils[12]. Dislikes drought.

Slugs are very fond of this plant and it will probably require some protection from them[14]. The various species in this genus hybridize freely[18]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their permanent positions whilst still small[12].

A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[19].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Helleborus viridis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Helleborus viridis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Helleborus viridis
Genus
Helleborus
Family
Ranunculaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[7][1][8][9][5]
Material uses & Functions
[4][5][6]
Botanic
[15][12]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Parasiticide)
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Anthelmintic)
  • Unknown part (Cardiac)
  • Unknown part (Cathartic)
  • Unknown part (Diuretic)
  • Unknown part (Emetic)
  • Unknown part (Emmenagogue)
  • Unknown part (Hypotensive)
  • Unknown part (Irritant)
  • Unknown part (Narcotic)
  • Unknown part (Purgative)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
Shade
partial shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.3 x 0.3 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees, Flies
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    2. ? Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus ISBN 0-7011-2526-8 (1980-00-00)
    3. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO ISBN 0112425291 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.4 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    11. ? Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. (1988-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
    16. ? Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland. ()
    17. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    18. ? Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-23310-3 (1976-00-00)
    19. ? Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)


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