Hellebore Facts
Hellebore Facts
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| Interesting Hellebore Facts: |
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| Hellebore can reach 12 to 48 inches in height and 18 to 36 inches in width. |
| All hellebores can be divided in two groups: those that have stem (caulescent) and those without stem (acaulescent). Number of acaulescent hellebores is much greater. Acaulescent hellebores have basal leaves and "naked" (leafless) flowering stalk. |
| Hellebore produces palmate, glossy, green colored leaves. Leaves of many hellebore species remain on the plant all year round (evergreen species). |
| Hellebore produces individual flowers that consist of 5 sepals and cup-shaped nectaries (which are actually modified petals). Wild types of hellebore produce flowers in green, greenish-purple and golden-yellow color. New varieties of hellebores (created artificially, through hybridization of existing species) produce white, yellow, pink, red, grey, deep purple or nearly black flowers. Showy varieties of hellebores have one or more rows of extra petals and anemone-scented flowers. |
| Hellebore blooms during the winter and early spring. Flower are rich source of nectar which attracts insects. Thanks to specific anatomy of flowers, various types of insects can successfully pollinate these plants. Hellebore produces flowers with both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers). They can perform self-pollination in the case that natural pollinators are not available. |
| Fruit of hellebore is follicle filled with 10 to 20 (rarely with 1 or 2) shiny black seed. |
| Hellebore propagates via seed and division. |
| Hellebore starts to produce flowers 3 years after sowing. |
| Christmas rose, Winter rose and Lenten rose are popular types of hellebores. Despite their name, they are not genetically related with roses. |
| Name "Helleborus" originates from Greek words "helle" which means "to take away" and "bora" which means "food". Name refers to the emetic (induces vomiting) properties of this plant. |
| Black hellebore was used for cleansing of the body and in treatment of paralysis, gout and mental disorders in the past. Black hellebore was also frequently used in treatment of intestinal worms. Unfortunately, uncontrolled (repeated) usage of hellebore root was often fatal for children. |
| Hellebore contains substances that can induce skin irritation in sensitive individuals. |
| According to a legend, witches used hellebore for the awakening of demons. |
| Historians believe that hellebore was one of the plants (part of herbal mixture) responsible for death of Alexander the Great. |
| Hellebore is perennial plant, which means that it can survive more than 2 years in the wild. |
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