HELLEBORE (Helleborus)
Family: Ranunculaceae
Black Hellebore (Helleborus niger)
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Otto Wilhelm Thomé's illustration of Helleborus niger, from Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz (1885). |
Asia, East
- Chinese: Bai Luo Po, Cai Yun Luo, Huo Cao, Mu Keji, Shu Wei Cao, Wu Cao, Xian Cao, Xue Mei, Xia Wei Cao
- Japanese: Kurisumasurose
Asia, Northern
- Russian: Moroznyk
Europe, Central
- German: Braune Nieswurz, Christrose, Christwurz, Nieswurz, Schneerose, Schwarze Christrose, Schwarze Nieswurz, Schwarzer Germer, Weihnachtsrose, Winterrose, Wulfsmilch
- LINGUA IGNOTA: Gaxuurinz, Lanischa, Magizima
- Polish: Ciemiernik, Ciemiernik Bialy, Czarna Ciemierzyca, Niesmiertelnik, Proskurnik, Zimowit
Europe, Eastern
- Serbian: Koreni Crne Cemerike
Europe, Northern
- Danish: Baerfod, Julerose
- Finnish: Keulurousi
- Swedish: Julros
Europe, Southern
- Greek: Loufa
- Italian: Elleboro, Elleboro Nero
- Latin: Pediluvium, Veratrum
- Portuguese: Funcho-De-Cao, Orelha-De-Lebre
- Spanish: Talpertro
Europe, Western
- Dutch: Kerstbloem, Kerstroosje, Koninginne-Kruid, Lentenrose, Telappel, Winteraconiet, Wrangwortel
- English: Hellebore, Black Hellebore, Christ's Herb, Christmas Flower, Christmas Rose, Lenten Rose, Snow Rose, Winter Rose
- French: Ellebore, Hellebore Noir, Pied De Griffon, Rose De Noel
- Welsh: Fell-Onis
- Africa, Northern: Morocco
- Asia, Western: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey
- Europe, Central: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Switzerland
- Europe, Eastern: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine
- Europe, Southern: Corsica, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Sardinia, Sicily, Spain (Baleares)
- Europe, Western: Belgium, France, England
- Europe, Central: Austria, Germany, Switzerland
- Europe, Southern: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia
A genus of typically poisonous ranunculates. Named "black" hellebore for the color of the root.
The type species, Helleborus niger, is an evergreen perennial with white flowers that resemble wild roses.
Victorian Flower Language
According to Greenaway, hellebore (black or white) is an emblem of scandal and calumny. Roux (though she specifies black hellebore) contextualizes the positive meaning of "we shall overcome scandal and slander," which is the meaning one would wish for when receiving a bouquet in the modern day. However, this compiler suspects this was also employed in the accusatory.
This is likely closely related to its association with madness.
Marriage
Skinner claimed the Germans associated hellebore with the "goddess of marriage," Huldah. Our limited research suggests this is a conflation of Frigg with the huldra or hulder, a "hidden" or "secret" variety of forest sprite.
Christmas Rose
An emblem of the Virgin Mary and the nativity, due to its late winter bloom.
An extra-biblical legend tells of the plant's origin, centered on one of the sisters of the shepherds who went to attend the newborn Christ. On seeing the babe she was inspired by an outflow of love to provide a gift, but on seeing the gold and finery provided by the Magi, and realizing her own hands were empty, she left the scene to sulk in the winter hills.
An angel then appeared to her, asking of her dejection. She confessed her feelings of inadequacy, and in response the angel produced a lily and waved it. All about her the winter hills filled with the rose of Christmas. The girl grabbed an eager armful and ran to the newborn Christ, who dismissed the riches of the Magi for the simple pleasure of the flowers.
Compiler's Observation: This is obviously simple folk theology, repeating the spirit of the Widow's Offering in Luke 21:1-4 and Mark 12:41-44. While cute, such stories should be treated carefully, as they risk obscuring the meaning of the original story. In this case, it dismisses the significance of the gifts of the Magi, as well as the Magi themselves, who are the substance of Melchizedek.
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| Helleborus niger |
Harvesting
Harvesting seeds from hellebore pods is the most likely activity to lead to topical poison contact. When done with bare hands, the skin is exposed to the plant's toxic sap. For this reason it is advised that the pods be separated, dried, and then the seeds shaken from the pod.
Hunting
Skinner relays that arrows were rubbed with this plant, to ensure that the meat of any game struck would be tender. This provides a probable etymology, from the Greek heleîn ("to injure") and borá ("food").
Christmas
The flower was particularly important to Christian practice under the old Julian calendar, blooming around Christmas under that system. Under the Gregorian calendar, this corresponds to January 6th, not December 25th. One (probably apocryphal) story conveyed the anxieties around this shift.
When England attempted to shift to the Gregorian calendar in 1588, the failure of the plant to bloom on Christmas was taken as such an ill omen that the English refused to adopt the Gregorian calendar until 1751.
This plant was notably identified as magical due to the fact that it bloomed at the end of winter but before spring. This has led to a strong association with witchcraft.
Abjuration
Both black hellebore [Helleborus] and white hellebore [Veratrum] were employed in abjuration. Spirits could be expelled from spaces such as the home by means of suffumigation. According to Dioscorides in the 1st century AD, black hellebore was even just strewn about the house to purify the place.
This property extended to exorcism of demons from the body, a practice likely of the same lineage as the mythical Greek healer Melampus, who prescribed the plant for curing madness.
Cattle Blessing
Skinner relays a Hellenistic spell for protecting cattle. The caster asks consent and approval of Apollo and Asclepius, before drawing a large circle in the earth with a sword. The caster then excavates the earth within the circle, creating a pit fit for a cow (or whatever other relevant husbanded head), and passes hellebore over the domestic beast to bless it.
Invisibility
Supposedly, medieval people believed sorcerers cast powder of hellebore over themselves to turn invisible.
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.
Despite its toxicity, the ancient Greeks and Romans used this plant to treat a number of medical conditions and diseases.
Purgative
One of the most popular purgatives in the ancient and medieval world, along with white hellebore. Hippocrates prescribed hellebore for this purpose (though all evidence indicates he was referring to white hellebore, specifically).
Gout
Ancient Greeks and Romans used this as a treatment for gout.
Paralysis
Ancient Greeks and Romans used this plant to treat paralysis.
Sedative
Theophrastus identified the plant as a sedative in the 4th century BC.
Madness
As already mentioned, the plant has an ancient history of being used to treat extreme mental issues, being identified for such use by the mythical physician Melampus of Pylos. By this plant he cured the daughters of Proteus, king of Argos, who were compelled by Dionysus to run naked through the streets of the city, crying, weeping, and screaming. Just the same, when Hera cursed Heracles, it was only by hellebore he was able to escape the rage (unfortunately, his children by Megara were not so lucky).
Skinner claims that the mad of the ancient world were long sent to Antikyra, where the plant grew in abundance.
Anti-Depressant
Skinner also relayed that "patients of a gloomy temper" were sent to Antikyra, for the same reason as the mad. This suggests its use as an antipsychotic also extended to antidepressant application. This belief persisted into Elizabethan England.
All parts of the hellebore are typically poisonous, absorbed through consumption or handling. Such poisoning is rare, and requires some significant consumption, but may result in the following:
- Burning of the mouth and throat
- Oral ulceration
- Salivation
- Thirst
- Vomiting
- Hematemesis (vomiting blood)
- Abdominal cramping
- Sense of suffocation
- Diarrhea
- Nervous symptoms
- Tinnitus
- Vertigo
- Stupor
- Delirium
- Depression
- Bradycardia (slowing of the heart)
- Anaphylaxis
- Collapse
- Death
Hellebore was supposedly weaponized during the Siege of Kirrha in 585 BC. The Greek besiegers supposedly poisoned the city's water supply with hellebore, incapacitating the defenders with diarrhea, which prevented them from withstanding the following assault.
The glycosides in black hellebore are dangerous to cardiac health and induce sneezing, hence its German name, "sneezing spice."
Unprotected handling may result in dermatitis (irritation and burning) as a result of its ranunculin content. This should only last a few minutes. If it persists, contact a physician.
Species: Helleborus niger
It was discovered in 1970 that the roots of Helleborus niger were free from the cardiotoxins helleborin, hellebrin, and helleborein, with previous research on the subject being tainted with misidentified Helleborus viridis.
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| The three life stages of the hellebore flower. |
- The plant's time of bloom makes it magical by virtue of the fact that it has set itself apart (magical novelty).
- Its antipsychotic properties could likely be employed to calm rage and confusion, as well as other mind-affective effects in a fantasy setting. This extends to its use as a material reagent in something like Dungeons and Dragons.
- The meaning of "scandal" and "calumny" may have something to do with its relationship to sneezing. Placed in the context of spells like the [cheese spell] or other thief divinations, the "sneezing spice" appears to be a useful reagent in uncovering intrigues.
- The glycosides detrimental to cardiac health also induce sneezing. One might be able to identify the hand of a witch in a hellebore death curse by identifying a heart attack following a fit of sneezing.
- As it has a "black" root, it is the "root of blackness," in the context of "black" as "evil." Paired with the "hell" in "hellebore," this could be used as a reagent for explicitly infernal sorcery through its suggested connection to [hell].
Corsican Hellebore (Helleborus argutifolius)
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| Helleborus argutifolius |
- German: Korsikanische Nieswurz
- Hungarian: Korzikai Hunyorfaj
- Danish: Korsikansk Julerose
- Dutch: Corsicaanse Nieskruid
- English: Corsican Hellebore, Corsican Rose, Hollyleaf Hellebore, Sardinian Hellebore, Spiny Bear's Foot
- French: Ellebore De Corse, Hellebore De Corse
- Europe, Southern: Italy (Sardinia)
- Europe, Western: France (Corsica)
An evergreen perennial hellebore that grows up to 120cm (47in) tall and 90cm (36in) wide. Notable for its leather, spiky-edged leaves. Has green, cup-shaped flowers.
- Retained for name, color, and distribution.
Green Hellebore (Helleborus viridis)
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| Helleborus viridis |
- German: Gruner Germer, Grune Nieswurz, Grun-Nieswurz, Nieswurz, Winterlin
- Danish: Gronne Nyserod, Julrose
- English: Green Hellebore, Bastard Hellebore, Bear's Foot, Boar's Foot, Wild Black Hellebore
- French: Ellebore Vert, Pied D'ours
- Europe, Central: Austria, Germany, Switzerland
- Europe, Southern: Italy, Spain
- Europe, Western: Belgium, England, France, Scotland
Green hellebore is a semi-evergreen perennial that grows around 60cm (24in) tall. It flowers in spring (February to April). It prefers limestone and chalky soil.
We are not a medical website, do not take health advice from us.
Parasites
Green hellebore's purgative properties were used to treat worms in children. Topically, it was applied to treat lice.
- Retained for anti-parasitic use.
Oriental Hellebore (Helleborus orientalis)
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| Helleborus orientalis |
Europe, Central
- German: Fruhlings-Nieswurz, Morgenlandische Nieswurz, Orientalische Nieswurz
Europe, Northern
- Swedish: Orientalisk Julros
Europe, Western
- Dutch: Lentenroos, Paasbloem, Paasroos
- English: Oriental Hellebore, Lenten Rose
- French: Helleborine, Rose De Careme, Rose Du Careme
- Asia, Northern: Russia (North Caucasus)
- Asia, West: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey
- Europe, Southern: Greece
A perennial that grows between 28-45cm (7-18in) tall. Its leaves are glossy and leathery, with 7-9 leaflets and a serrated edge. Its pendant flowers occur in groups of 1-4 on the ends of thick stems.
- Retained for names and distribution.
Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus)
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| Helleborus foetidus |
Europe, Central
- German: Hundskohl, Knollige Nieswurz, Nieswurz, Stinkende Nieswurz
Europe, Northern
- Danish: Laeterirt
- Swedish: Klockjulros
Europe, Western
- Dutch: Stinkende Nieswortel
- English: Stinking Hellebore, Barfoot, Bear's Foot, Bearfoot, Boarwort, Dungwort, Fetid Hellebore, Ox Heel, Setterwort
- French: Ellebore Fetide, Hellebore Puant, Helleborine, Kale De Chien, Marteau De Thor, Pied D'ours
- Africa, Northern: Morocco
- Europe, Central: Germany, Switzerland
- Europe, Southern: Italy (Sicily), Portugal, Spain (Balearic Islands)
- Europe, Western: Belgium, England, France (Corsica), Scotland
An evergreen perennial that grows up to 80cm (31in) tall and 100cm (39in) across. Its stem is thick and its leaves glossy. Has drooping, yellow-green flowers, often with a purple-edged petals, set at the end of stiff, upright stems. If favors mountainous regions, especially woodlands with limestone- or chalk-rich soil. Thrives in well-drained soil and dappled shade. Drought-tolerant.
The plant doesn't smell particularly bad in its natural state, but its leaves are quite pungent when crushed.
A curious quality of stinking hellebore is that yeasts colonize its nectaries. This aids the plant, in that it raises the plant's temperature, increasing the rate of evaporation for volatile organic compounds, increasing its attractiveness to pollinators. This is the first species in which this effect has been discovered.
Popular in gardens for their vibrant colors. This compiler suspects that the yeast-assisted pollinator attraction produces other desirable knock-on effects for gardeners.
- Idle thought: Is the yeast from stinking hellebore suitable for beer or mead production, or is the nectar also toxic to humans?
- The associations between the [bear] and the [boar] suggest bestial ferocity and barbarism through the bear, and vulgarity and crassness through the boar.
- The name "setterwort" suggests many things, such as bone-setting, setting paint, etc. Unfortunately, our research has not confirmed a specific reason for the name.
Tibetan Hellebore (Helleborus thibetanus)
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| Helleborus thibetanus |
Asia, East
- Chinese: Xi Zang Lao Shu Cao
- German: Tibetanischer Nieswurz
- Polish: Ciemiernik Tybetanski
- Dutch: Tibetaanse Nieskruid
- English: Tibetan Hellebore
- Asia, East: China (North-Central, South-Central)
Tibetan hellebore is a perennial with smooth, finely-serrated ovate leaves that occur in clumps from early spring to midsummer. It blooms in early spring (as opposed to late winter), its flowers starting white, then turn pink, and finally green. It prefers moist, shady, sheltered areas in slightly alkaline soil.
- Retained for names and distribution.
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Prestigious Plants
- Plants
- Flowers
- Trees
- Ferns
- Moss and Lichen [Pending]
- Fungi [Pending]
- Cladistic Index
- Herbal Medicine [Pending]
- Resin, Incense, Balsam, and Lacquer [Pending]
Other Ranunculales
- Berberidaceae
- Lardizabalaceae
- Papaveraceae
- Ranunculaceae
- Adonis/Anemone/Pasque
- Buttercup/Water Crowfoot
- Clematis
- Columbine
- Coptis
- Hepatica
- Larkspur
- Love in a Mist
- Monkshood/Wolfsbane
[Img 01 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Helleborus_niger0.jpg]
[Img 02 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Helleborus_niger_Kaiser.jpg]
[Img 03 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Helleborus_(three_stages).jpg]
[Img 04 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Helleborus_argutifolius.jpg]
[Img 05 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Helleborus_viridis_003.JPG]
[Img 06 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Helleborus_orientalis._Lenteroos_04.JPG]
[Img 07 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Helleborus_foetidus_2016_01.jpg]
[Img 08 - https://www.atlas-roslin.pl/gatunki/Helleborus_thibetanus.htm]
-Greenaway, Kate. Language of Flowers. George Routleage and Sons.
-Roux, Jessica. Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2020.
-Skinner, Charles M. "Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees, Fruits, and Plants : In All Ages and in All Climes : Skinner, Charles M. (Charles Montgomery), 1852-1907 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming." Internet Archive, Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott Co., 1 Jan. 1970, https://archive.org/details/mythslegendsoffl00skin.
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellebore )
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helleborus_argutifolius )
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helleborus_foetidus )
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helleborus_niger )
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helleborus_orientalis )
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helleborus_thibetanus )
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helleborus_viridis )
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