Veratrum nigrum
(Black False Hellebore)

Family - Melanthiaceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - Southern Europe, Asia
Year of Introduction - 1596
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H6
Height - 60cm or more
Width - 60cm
Location - The Woodland Walk

Description: A clump-forming, rhizomatous Perennial with an upright habit. Attractive grey-green to mid-green, pleated leaves are oblong to Elliptic in shape. Small maroon (nearly black) flowers are star-shaped. The Blooms are held in upright, branched panicles atop vertical stems and are produced from mid to late summer. The flowers are followed by conspicuous, round seed Capsules.

Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Synonym - Veratrum ussuriense
This plant contains the toxin, veratrine.

Powder made using the rhizomes has been used in insecticides.

Flower:

Small maroon, star-shaped flowers have what is often described as an unpleasant scent. The blooms are held in branched panicles atop the upright stems and are produced in July and August. The flowers are followed by round seed capsules.

Flower colour: Maroon, black

Flower shape: Star-shaped flowers in panicles

Flowering time: July, August

Foliage:

Attractive grey-green to mid-green, pleated leaves are oblong to Elliptic in shape. The leaves are Alternately arranged on vertical stems.

Foliage Senescence: Deciduous

Foliage Shape: Oblong to elliptic

Poison Information:

All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested, particularly the rhizomes.

Propagation:

Division, seed.

Cultivation:

Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture retentive soil that is well drained.