Plantae > Tracheophyta > Liliopsida > Liliales > Melanthiaceae > Veratrum > Veratrum nigrumVeratrum nigrum (Black Hellebore)Synonyms: Helonias nigra (homotypic); Melanthium nigrum (homotypic); Veratrum bracteatum; Veratrum nigrum ussuriense; Veratrum nigrum var. microcarpum; Veratrum nigrum var. ussuriense; Veratrum purpureum; Veratrum ussuriense Veratrum nigrum (common name black false hellebore) is a widespread Eurasian species of perennial flower of the family Melanthiaceae. Despite its common name, V. nigrum is not closely related to the true hellebores, nor does it resemble them. The plant was widely known even in ancient times. For example, Lucretius (ca. 99 BCE – ca. 55 BCE) and Pliny the Elder (23 AD – August 25, 79) both knew of its medicinal emetic as well as deadly toxic properties. |
| Allergen Potential [1] | Medium-High |  | | Flower Type [2] | Hermaphrodite | | Hazards [2] | All parts of the plant are highly poisonous; | | Lifespan [2] | Perennial | | Pollinators [2] | Bees, Flies, Lepidoptera | | Scent [2] | The flowers smell of rotten fruit and are visited by flies. | | Structure [3] | Herb | | Usage [2] | The dried and powdered root is used as an insecticide and a parasiticide; It is also effective against caterpillars and mammals so great caution is advised; | | | Height [2] | 4.92 feet (1.5 m) | | Width [2] | 24 inches (0.6 m) |
View Plants For A Future Record : Veratrum nigrum |
Species taxanomy provided by GBIF Secretariat (2022). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2023-06-13; License: CC BY 4.0
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