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Black hellebore

Black hellebore

Herald of spring with a black root

Before snowdrops, primroses, and saffrons bloom, the Black hellebore or Christmas rose flowers. Contrary to its name, this herald of spring is adorned with a luxurious white flower. The adjective "black" comes from its black root.

Black hellebore (Helleborus niger)

Size
  • 10–30 cm
Blooming period
  • January–April
Growing site
  • sunny forests, forest edges, meadows
Distribution

  • common in Slovenia, but less frequently found in the Primorska region and the northeastern part of the country
   
Kingdom
  • Plantea
Phylum
  • angiosperms
Class
  • dicotyledons
Order
  • Ranunculales
Family
  • Ranunculaceae
Genus
  • Helleborus
Species
  • Black hellebore

 

The black hellebore is an evergreen plant with white flowers. Its name comes from its black root.

The black hellebore is an evergreen plant with palmately divided basal leaves. The pedate leaves are quite large and leathery, and they can be seen throughout the entire year.

The plant blooms very early in the spring – sometimes even when it's still very cold and snowy outside. In mild winters, it flowers from December on.

The unbranched stem carries a single white flower with five petals and no calyx. The flower has several superior ovaries and numerous stamens, which are shorter than the petals. Between the stamens and petals, there is a circle of yellow-green nectaries.

Well, the flowers are not always snow-white. Over time, they turn reddish, and in some places, there are hellebores that have a reddish-colored flower from the very beginning.

Hellebore is a common species on carbonate substrates and grows in both lower and higher areas. It is widespread in Slovenia but avoids the Primorska region and the northeastern part of the country.

This poisonous herald of spring is a protected species in Slovenia, and it can only be gathered for a bouquet.

DO YOU KNOW?

  1. Because of its whiteness, the black hellebore is also called the snow flower; it is also known as the Christmas rose, as it can bloom even before Christmas.
  2. The black hellebore was once used to make poisonous drinks.