Black False-hellebore
Veratrum nigrum
Bunchflower family (Melanthiaceae)
Black death
There are only a few plants with black flowers. Therefore the black false hellebore, which is native to Europe and Asia, has been very popular when planning large gardens: a tall plant with large oval leaves forms a pleasing dark backdrop to brightly coloured flowers placed in the front of the border.
The black colour of the flowers can be taken as a warning. The plant is very poisonous and even a faint whiff can cause sneezing and coughing. Low doses of the neurotoxin, which is found mostly in its black rhizomes, were used to treat high blood pressure or low heart rate. Unfortunately the dosage was not always accurate and then it would lead to muscle spasms, excruciating pain and even death.
Themes
Crown jewel in the Holland Open Air Museum.
The root when dried and powdered can be used as an insecticide and a parasiticide. It is also effective against caterpillars and mammals so great caution is advised.
All parts of the plant are highly poisonous.
Details
| Description: | Herb, up to 1.2 m. |
|---|---|
| Distributions: | Southern europe to asia |
| Habitat: | Forested or grassy slopes; 1200-3300 m in altitude. |
| Year cycle: | Perennial (trees and shrubs included) |
| Hardiness: | Colder than -4 f (very hardy) |
| Flowering period: | Juli - augustus |
| Flower color: | Purple, red, brown, black |
| Notes on flowers: | Bearing large panicles of small, star-shaped, deep reddish-brown flowers. |
| Fruit color: | Red |
| Notes on fruits: | The apex of the seed is crimson in colour. |
| At its best: | Juli - augustus |