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Hellebore (view source)

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{{SPlantbox
 
{{SPlantbox
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|familia=Ranunculaceae
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|genus=Hellebore
 
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|Min ht metric=cm
 
|Temp Metric=°F
 
|Temp Metric=°F
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|image=Upload.png
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|image=Helleborus niger .JPG
 
|image_width=240
 
|image_width=240
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|image_caption=''Helleborus niger'', the so-called "Christmas rose", in the wild
 
}}
 
}}
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'''''Helleborus''''' is a genus of approximately 20 species (ongoing fieldwork may see this figure change) of [[herbaceous]] [[perennial]] [[flowering plants]] in the family [[Ranunculaceae]], within which it gave its name to the [[tribe (biology)|tribe]] of [[Helleboreae]].
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The flowers have five "[[petal]]s" (actually [[sepals]] or [[tepal]]s) surrounding a ring of small, cup-like [[nectaries]] (petals modified to hold [[nectar]]). The sepals do not fall as petals would, but remain on the plant, sometimes for many months. Recent research in Spain suggests that the persistent [[calyx]] contributes to the development of the [[seed]]s (Herrera 2005).
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Hellebores are widely grown in gardens for decorative purposes, as well as for their [[herbalism|purported medicinal abilities]] and uses in [[witchcraft]]. They are particularly valued by gardeners for their winter and early spring flowering period; the plants are surprisingly [[frost]]-resistant and many are [[evergreen]]. Many species of hellebore have green or greenish-purple flowers and are of limited garden value, although Corsican hellebore (''H. argutifolius''), a robust plant with pale green, cup-shaped flowers and attractive leathery [[foliage]], is widely grown. So is stinking hellebore or setterwort (''H. foetidus''), which has drooping clusters of small, pale green, bell-shaped flowers, often edged with maroon, which contrast delightfully with its dark [[evergreen]] foliage. ''H. foetidus'' 'Wester Flisk', with red-flushed flowers and flower stalks, is becoming popular, as are more recent selections with golden-yellow foliage.
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The so-called Christmas rose (''H. niger''), a traditional [[cottage garden]] favourite, bears its pure white flowers (which often age to pink) in the depths of winter; large-flowered [[cultivar]]s are available, as are pink-flowered and double-flowered selections.
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The most popular hellebores for garden use, however, are undoubtedly ''H. orientalis'' and its colourful [[hybrid]]s (''H.'' × ''hybridus''). They flower in early spring, around the period of [[Lent]], and are often known as Lenten hellebores, oriental hellebores, or Lenten roses. They are excellent for bringing early colour to shady [[herbaceous border]]s and areas between [[deciduous]] [[shrub]]s and under trees.
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{{Inc|
 
{{Inc|
 
Helleborus (ancient name of H. orientalis, meaning unknown). Ranunculaceae. Hellebore. Hardy herbaceous perennials, admired for their very early flowers and also their attractive leaves.
 
Helleborus (ancient name of H. orientalis, meaning unknown). Ranunculaceae. Hellebore. Hardy herbaceous perennials, admired for their very early flowers and also their attractive leaves.
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They are easily forced under glass. Strong plants should be taken up into large pots and gradually inured to a warm temperature. Blossoms may thus be brought forth at any time desired in winter. Propagation is best by division of roots in fall or spring. Gardeners prefer to divide the roots in late summer or fall, as this does not come at the flowering season. If seeds mature they will germinate well if planted immediately in boxes or in rich, open ground. Seedlings should bear flowers the third season.
 
They are easily forced under glass. Strong plants should be taken up into large pots and gradually inured to a warm temperature. Blossoms may thus be brought forth at any time desired in winter. Propagation is best by division of roots in fall or spring. Gardeners prefer to divide the roots in late summer or fall, as this does not come at the flowering season. If seeds mature they will germinate well if planted immediately in boxes or in rich, open ground. Seedlings should bear flowers the third season.
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H. corsicus, Willd. (H. lividus, Auth.). Lvs. trifoliate, dirty yellowish green in color; lfts. broad-ovate, sharply toothed on margins. Blooms March to April. Corsica, Sardinia.—H. lividus, Ait, Under cult, a robust plant with thick, fleshy sts.: radical lvs. simple, cordate; cauline trifoliate: fls. 2 ½ in. across, dull purple-fray, tinged with green, nodding, in panicles of 6-&. Balearic sis. B.M. 72; 7903. G. 27:422.
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H. corsicus, Willd. (H. lividus, Auth.). Lvs. trifoliate, dirty yellowish green in color; lfts. broad-ovate, sharply toothed on margins. Blooms March to April. Corsica, Sardinia.—H. lividus, Ait, Under cult, a robust plant with thick, fleshy sts.: radical lvs. simple, cordate; cauline trifoliate: fls. 2 ½ in. across, dull purple-fray, tinged with green, nodding, in panicles of 6-&. Balearic sis.  
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K.C. Davis.
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{{Taxobox
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| color = lightgreen
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| name = Hellebore
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| image = Helleborus niger .JPG
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| image_width = 240px
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| image_caption =  ''Helleborus niger'', the so-called "Christmas rose", in the wild
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
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| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
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| ordo = [[Ranunculales]]
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| familia = [[Ranunculaceae]]
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| genus = '''''Helleborus'''''
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| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
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| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
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| subdivision =
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| species =
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See text
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}}
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[[Image:Illustration Helleborus niger0.jpg|thumb|19th century illustration of ''Helleborus niger'']]
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[[Image:HelleborusFoetidus-plant.jpg|thumb|right|''Helleborus foetidus'' has handsome, deeply divided evergreen leaves]]
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[[Image:Helleborus foetidus0.jpg|thumb|right|The small green flowers of ''H. foetidus'' often have a purple edge to each 'petal']]
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[[Image:Helleborus lividus corsicus0.jpg|thumb|right|The Corsican hellebore, ''Helleborus argutifolius'' (formerly ''H. lividus'' subsp. ''corsicus'' or ''H. corsicus'')]]
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'''''Helleborus''''' is a genus of approximately 20 species (ongoing fieldwork may see this figure change) of [[herbaceous]] [[perennial]] [[flowering plants]] in the family [[Ranunculaceae]], within which it gave its name to the [[tribe (biology)|tribe]] of [[Helleboreae]].
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==Distribution and description==
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==Cultivation==
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The genus is native to much of [[Europe]], from western [[Britain]], [[Spain]] and [[Portugal]], eastward across the [[Mediterranean region]] and central Europe into [[Romania]] and [[Ukraine]], and along the north coast of [[Turkey]] into the [[Caucasus]]. The greatest concentration of species occurs in the [[Balkans]]. One atypical species (''H. thibetanus'') comes from western [[China]]; another atypical species (''H. vesicarius'') inhabits a small area on the border between Turkey and [[Syria]].
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The flowers have five "[[petal]]s" (actually [[sepals]] or [[tepal]]s) surrounding a ring of small, cup-like [[nectaries]] (petals modified to hold [[nectar]]). The sepals do not fall as petals would, but remain on the plant, sometimes for many months. Recent research in Spain suggests that the persistent [[calyx]] contributes to the development of the [[seed]]s (Herrera 2005).
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===Propagation===
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Although the flowers of some species may resemble [[dog rose|wild roses]] (and despite some of their common names, such as "'''Christmas rose'''" and "'''Lenten rose'''"), hellebores do not belong to the [[rose]] family ([[Rosaceae]]).
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===Pests and diseases===
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==Species and subspecies==
 
==Species and subspecies==
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Other species names (now considered invalid) may be encountered in older literature, including ''H. hyemalis'', ''H. polychromus'', ''H. ranunculinus'', ''H. trifolius''.
 
Other species names (now considered invalid) may be encountered in older literature, including ''H. hyemalis'', ''H. polychromus'', ''H. ranunculinus'', ''H. trifolius''.
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==Garden use==
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Hellebores are widely grown in gardens for decorative purposes, as well as for their [[herbalism|purported medicinal abilities]] and uses in [[witchcraft]]. They are particularly valued by gardeners for their winter and early spring flowering period; the plants are surprisingly [[frost]]-resistant and many are [[evergreen]]. Many species of hellebore have green or greenish-purple flowers and are of limited garden value, although Corsican hellebore (''H. argutifolius''), a robust plant with pale green, cup-shaped flowers and attractive leathery [[foliage]], is widely grown. So is stinking hellebore or setterwort (''H. foetidus''), which has drooping clusters of small, pale green, bell-shaped flowers, often edged with maroon, which contrast delightfully with its dark [[evergreen]] foliage. ''H. foetidus'' 'Wester Flisk', with red-flushed flowers and flower stalks, is becoming popular, as are more recent selections with golden-yellow foliage.
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The so-called Christmas rose (''H. niger''), a traditional [[cottage garden]] favourite, bears its pure white flowers (which often age to pink) in the depths of winter; large-flowered [[cultivar]]s are available, as are pink-flowered and double-flowered selections.
  −
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The most popular hellebores for garden use, however, are undoubtedly ''H. orientalis'' and its colourful [[hybrid]]s (''H.'' × ''hybridus''). They flower in early spring, around the period of [[Lent]], and are often known as Lenten hellebores, oriental hellebores, or Lenten roses. They are excellent for bringing early colour to shady [[herbaceous border]]s and areas between [[deciduous]] [[shrub]]s and under trees.
      
===Hellebore hybrids===
 
===Hellebore hybrids===
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Recent breeding programmes have also created double-flowered and anemone-centred plants. Ironically, doing this is actually reversing the [[evolution]]ary process in which hellebores' true petals had been modified into nectaries; it is usually these nectaries which become the extra petals in double, semi-double and anemone-centred flowers.  
 
Recent breeding programmes have also created double-flowered and anemone-centred plants. Ironically, doing this is actually reversing the [[evolution]]ary process in which hellebores' true petals had been modified into nectaries; it is usually these nectaries which become the extra petals in double, semi-double and anemone-centred flowers.  
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Semi-double flowers have one or two extra rows of petals; doubles have more. Their inner petals are generall
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Semi-double flowers have one or two extra rows of petals; doubles have more. Their inner petals are generally very like the outer ones in colour and patterning. They are often of a similar length and shape, though they may be slightly shorter and narrower, and some are attractively waved or ruffled. By contrast, anemone-centred flowers have, cupped within the five normal outer petals, a ring of much shorter, more curved extra petals (sometimes trumpet-shaped, intermediate in appearance between petals and nectaries), which may be a different colour from the outer petals. These short, extra petals (sometimes known as "petaloids") drop off after the flower has been [[pollination|pollinated]], leaving an apparently single flower, whereas doubles and semi-doubles tend to retain their extra petals after pollination.
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y very like the outer ones in colour and patterning. They are often of a similar length and shape, though they may be slightly shorter and narrower, and some are attractively waved or ruffled. By contrast, anemone-centred flowers have, cupped within the five normal outer petals, a ring of much shorter, more curved extra petals (sometimes trumpet-shaped, intermediate in appearance between petals and nectaries), which may be a different colour from the outer petals. These short, extra petals (sometimes known as "petaloids") drop off after the flower has been [[pollination|pollinated]], leaving an apparently single flower, whereas doubles and semi-doubles tend to retain their extra petals after pollination.
      
===Interspecific hybrids===
 
===Interspecific hybrids===
 
Gardeners and [[nursery (horticulture)|nurserymen]] have also created hybrids between less closely-related species. The earliest was probably ''H.'' × ''nigercors'', a cross between ''H. niger'' and ''H. argutifolius'' (formerly ''H. lividus'' subsp. ''corsicus'' or ''H. corsicus'', hence the name) first made in 1931. ''H.'' × ''sternii'', a cross between ''H. argutifolius'' and ''H. lividus'', first exhibited in 1947, is named after the celebrated British [[plantsman]] Sir Frederick Stern. ''H.'' × ''ballardiae'' (''H. niger'' crossed with ''H. lividus'') and ''H.'' × ''ericsmithii'' (''H. niger'' crossed with ''H.'' × ''sternii'') similarly commemorate the noted British nursery owners Helen Ballard and Eric Smith. In recent years, Ashwood Nurseries (of [[Kingswinford]] in the English [[Midlands]]), already well-known for its Ashwood Garden Hybrids (''H.'' × ''hybridus'' singles, semi-doubles, doubles and anemone-centres), has created interesting hybrids between ''H. niger'' and ''H. thibetanus'' (called ''H.'' 'Pink Ice'), and between ''H. niger'' and ''H. vesicarius'' (called ''H.'' 'Briar Rose'). The gardenworthiness of these hybrids has still to be proven.
 
Gardeners and [[nursery (horticulture)|nurserymen]] have also created hybrids between less closely-related species. The earliest was probably ''H.'' × ''nigercors'', a cross between ''H. niger'' and ''H. argutifolius'' (formerly ''H. lividus'' subsp. ''corsicus'' or ''H. corsicus'', hence the name) first made in 1931. ''H.'' × ''sternii'', a cross between ''H. argutifolius'' and ''H. lividus'', first exhibited in 1947, is named after the celebrated British [[plantsman]] Sir Frederick Stern. ''H.'' × ''ballardiae'' (''H. niger'' crossed with ''H. lividus'') and ''H.'' × ''ericsmithii'' (''H. niger'' crossed with ''H.'' × ''sternii'') similarly commemorate the noted British nursery owners Helen Ballard and Eric Smith. In recent years, Ashwood Nurseries (of [[Kingswinford]] in the English [[Midlands]]), already well-known for its Ashwood Garden Hybrids (''H.'' × ''hybridus'' singles, semi-doubles, doubles and anemone-centres), has created interesting hybrids between ''H. niger'' and ''H. thibetanus'' (called ''H.'' 'Pink Ice'), and between ''H. niger'' and ''H. vesicarius'' (called ''H.'' 'Briar Rose'). The gardenworthiness of these hybrids has still to be proven.
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==Folklore==
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==Gallery==
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Several [[legend]]s surround the hellebore; in witchcraft it is believed to have ties to [[summon]]ing [[demon]]s. ''Helleborus niger'' is commonly called the [[Christmas]] rose, due to an old legend that it sprouted in the snow from the tears of a young girl who had no gift to give the [[Child Jesus|Christ child]] in [[Bethlehem]]. In [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] [[mythology]], [[Melampus]] of [[Pylos]] used hellebore to save the daughters of the king of [[Argos]] from a madness, induced by [[Dionysus]], that caused them to run naked through the city, crying, weeping, and screaming.
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{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery -->
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During the [[First Sacred War|Siege of Kirrha]] in 585 BC, hellebore was reportedly used by the Greek besiegers to poison the city's water supply. The defenders were subsequently so weakened by diarrhea that they were unable to defend the city from assault.
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Some historians believe that [[Alexander the Great]] [[Alexander the Great#Death|died because of a hellebore overdose]], when he took it as medication.
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<gallery>
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Image:Illustration Helleborus niger0.jpg|19th century illustration of ''Helleborus niger''
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Image:HelleborusFoetidus-plant.jpg|''Helleborus foetidus'' has handsome, deeply divided evergreen leaves
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Image:Helleborus foetidus0.jpg|The small green flowers of ''H. foetidus'' often have a purple edge to each 'petal'
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Image:Helleborus lividus corsicus0.jpg|The Corsican hellebore, ''Helleborus argutifolius'' (formerly ''H. lividus'' subsp. ''corsicus'' or ''H. corsicus'')
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</gallery>
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==References and External links==
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==References==
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{{commonscat|Helleborus}}
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*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
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*[http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Helleborus&SPECIES_XREF=&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK=species Flora Europaea: ''Helleborus'']
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200008012 Flora of China: ''Helleborus'']
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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*Graham Rice & Elizabeth Strangman, ''The Gardener's Guide to Growing Hellebores'', David & Charles/Timber Press (1993) ISBN 0-7153-9973-X
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
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*Brian Mathew, ''Hellebores'', Alpine Garden Society (1989) ISBN 0-900048-50-6
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*Herrera, C. M. (2005). Post-floral perianth functionality: contribution of persistent sepals to seed development in ''Helleborus foetidus'' (Ranunculaceae). ''Amer. J. Bot.'' 92: 1486-1491 [http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/abstract/92/9/1486 abstract].
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* [http://www.hellebore.com/ Garden writer Graham Rice's hellebore site]
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* [http://www.hellebores.org Hellebores.org: A comprehensive online resource on the genus ''Helleborus'']
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* [http://www.rhs.org.uk/learning/research/Sciencereport/Hellebore.pdf RHS plant pathology report on 'Hellebore Black Death' disease (pdf)]
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* [http://phengels.club.fr/Cata
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logueHelleborus.html A French hellebore enthusiast's non-commercial site]
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==See also==
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==External links==
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*[[Christmas flowers]]
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*{{wplink}}
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[[Category:Ranunculaceae]]
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__NOTOC__
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[[Category:Witchcraft]]
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[[Category:Abortifacients]]
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[[Category:Christmas plants]]
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[[Category:Garden plants]]
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[[Category:Flowers]]
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[[Category:Horticulture]]
 
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