Helleborus niger
| Helleborus niger | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Winter-Late Winter |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Helleborus niger (common name: black hellebore)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1][2]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible[1], it usually germinates in the autumn to spring. Seed can take 18 months to germinate. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. This species produces flowering plants in 2 - 3 years from seed[3].
Division after flowering or in autumn. Take care since the plant resents disturbance[4][3].
Cultivation: Cultivation of this plant is not always easy, it prefers a rich limy soil in partial shade[5]. Succeeds in any good garden soil[1], growing and flowering best in a moist well-drained rich loam in a sheltered position in partial shade[1][6][7][4][8]. Succeeds when grown in the shade of a north-facing wall[9]. Does not object to lime[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils[3]. Dislikes drought.
Slugs are very fond of this plant and it will probably require some protection from them[5].
The various species in this genus hybridize freely[10].
Plants can flower in three years from seed[6].
A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[5].
Plants resent root disturbance and are slow to re-establish when divided[8]. They are best left undisturbed for 6 - 7 years before being divided[8]. Seedling plants should be placed in their permanent positions whilst still small[3].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[11].
Range: S.E. and C. Europe.
Habitat: Woods and thickets, mainly in mountains, on calcareous soils[12][5]. Sometimes also found in grassland[5].
Medicinal: Black hellebore is a very poisonous plant that is toxic when taken in all but the smallest doses. As such it should not be taken except under professional supervision. The plant contains cardiac glycosides which have a similar action to the foxglove (Digitalis spp) and it has been used as a heart stimulant for the elderly, though this treatment is no longer recommended[13].
The root is anthelmintic, cardiac, cathartic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, irritant, violently narcotic and a drastic purgative[6][14][15][16][17]. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[6]. It has been used in the treatment of dropsy, amenorrhoea, nervous disorders and hysteria, but it is very poisonous and great care must be taken over the dosage[6]. The root is also applied externally as a local irritant[6], but even this should be done with care, see notes above on toxicity.
A homeopathic remedy is made from the roots[14]. It is used in the treatment of headaches, psychic disorders, enteritis and spasms[14].
Usage: Used as a parasiticide against body lice, fleas etc[18]. This use is somewhat dangerous, see the notes above on toxicity.
The powdered root has been used as a snuff[19].
Plants are suitable for ground cover when spaced about 45cm apart each way[20].
Pollinators: Bees, flies
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Late Spring-Early Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant are poisonous[14][21][22], this poison can possibly be absorbed through the skin[18].
The fresh root can be a violent irritant to sensitive skin[8].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Brown, George. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Saunders, Charles. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications, 1976.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ Altmann, Horst. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus, 1980.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.