American White Hellebore Veratrum viride
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- VER-uh-trum VEER-ih-dee
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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False hellebore is a native, erect, herbaceous perennial wildflower found in the mountains of NC. It is a member of the trillium family (Melanthiaceae). It grows in swamps, wet woods, meadows, forest or natural areas in moist woods and along stream banks. All parts of the plant are poisonous if large amounts are ingested.
The leaves are broad and strap-like, clasping at the base and with conspicuous parallel veins. The flowers appear in panicles of small saucer-shaped yellow-green blooms. It needs shade to part shade and moist, rich soils. The plant spreads by rhizomes and seeds.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Veratrum
- Species:
- viride
- Family:
- Melanthiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America
- Distribution:
- AK , AL , CA , CT , DC , DE , GA , ID , MA , MD , ME , MN , MT , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , TN , VA , VT , WA , WV , WY Canada: NB , NL , NS , QC
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit splits into three sections at maturity to release the numerous flat seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Numerous small, downy, yellow-green flowers on branching stem
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- 6 to 12-inch lance-shaped leaves end in a sharp point and are strongly ribbed with parallel veins. They clasp onto a stout, downy stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
