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'''Green false hellebore''' ('''American white hellebore''', '''Bear Corn''', '''Big Hellebore''', '''Devil's Bite''', '''Duck Retten''', '''Indian Poke''', '''Itch-weed''', '''Itchweed''', '''Poor Annie''', and '''Tickleweed'''; ''Veratrum viride'') is a [[perennial plant]] that grows from small [[Wild leek|leek]]-like shoots in the spring to a medium-sized plant with spectacular [[Leaf|leaves]]. It is known for being extremely [[toxic]], and for this reason is considered a pest plant by farmers with livestock.

'''Green false hellebore''' ('''American white hellebore''', '''Bear Corn''', '''Big Hellebore''', '''Devil's Bite''', '''Duck Retten''', '''Indian Poke''', '''Itch-weed''', '''Itchweed''', '''Poor Annie''', and '''Tickleweed'''; ''Veratrum viride'') is a [[perennial plant]] that grows from small [[Wild leek|leek]]-like shoots in the spring to a medium-sized plant with spectacular [[Leaf|leaves]]. It is known for being extremely [[toxic]], and for this reason is considered a pest plant by farmers with livestock.

The adult plant can reach 3 to 5 feet, with even extra length when a floral stem is present. It has a solid white stem with large, broad alternate leaves ending in a short point, heavily ribbed and hairy on the underside. It grows numerous 2 cm lime-green to citrus-yellow [[flower]]s in a large [[inflorescence]]. Rarely goes into flowers.

The adult plant can reach 3 to 5 feet, with even extra length when a floral stem is present. It has a solid white stem with large, broad alternate leaves ending in a short point, heavily ribbed and hairy on the underside. It grows numerous 2 cm lime-green to citrus-yellow [[flower]]s in a large [[inflorescence]]. Rarely goes into flowers.

''Veratrum'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[Setaceous Hebrew Character]].

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist or wet soil{{pfaf}}.

Requires a deep fertile moisture retentive humus-rich soil{{pfaf200}}. Succeeds in full sun if the soil does not dry out but prefers a position in semi-shade{{pfaf200}}. Dislikes dry soils, preferring to grow in a bog garden{{pfaf42}}. Grows best in a cool woodland garden or a north facing border{{pfaf42}}. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer{{pfaf233}}. Plants are long-lived and can be left in the same position for years without attention{{pfaf233}}.

Green false hellebore is found in wet areas of forests. It prefers deciduous forest but is also found well in the north of boreal forest.

==Distribution and multiplication==

===Propagation===

Green false hellebore is found from the Alaska through the Olympic, [[Cascade Range]] and [[Rocky Mountains]] south down to northern [[California]]. In the east, its distribution goes from [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] north to [[Labrador]].

The plant multiplies through its [[rhizome]] and seeds.

The plant multiplies through its [[rhizome]] and seeds.

Unless stored in damp sand at around 4°c the seed has a short viability{{pfaf200}}. Where possible it is best to sow the seed in a lightly shaded position in the greenhouse as soon as it is ripe{{pfaf200}}. Stored seed needs to be stratified but can be very slow to germinate. Germination can be erratic even for seed sown when it was fresh, it usually takes place within 3 - 12 months at 15°c but can be much longer{{pfaf200}}. The plant produces just one seedleaf in its first year, this forms an over-wintering bulb. It takes up to 10 years for the plant to reach maturity{{pfaf200}}. Sow the seed thinly so there is no need to thin or transplant them, and grow the seedlings on undisturbed in the pot for their first two years of growth. Apply a liquid feed at intervals through the growing season to ensure the plants do not become nutrient deficient. At the end of the second year plant out the dormant plants into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for a further year or two before planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division in March/April or in October. Establish the plants in pots in a shaded frame before planting them out{{pfaf200}}. Division is best carried out in the autumn because the plants come into growth very early in the spring{{pfaf233}}. Root cuttings, 6mm long with a bud, rooted in a sandy soil in a cold frame{{pfaf200}}.

==Medicine==

===Pests and diseases===

The plant is highly toxic, causing nausaea and vomiting. If the poison is not evacuated, cold sweat and vertigo appears. [[Respiration (physiology)|Respiration]] slows, cardiac rhythm and [[blood pressure]] falls, eventually leading to death.

''Veratrum'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species.

It is used externally by several Amerindian nations for external treatment. Although is rarely ever used modern herbary due to its concentration of various [[alkaloid]]s, it has been used in the past against high blood pressure and rapid heartbeat. The root contains even higher concentrations than the aerial parts.

<!--  This section should be renamed Cultivars if it appears on a page for a species (rather than genus), or perhaps Varieties if there is a mix of cultivars, species, hybrids, etc    -->

==Trivia==

==Gallery==

The plant was used by some tribes to elect a new leader: all the candidates would eat the root, and the last to start vomiting would become the new leader.<ref>''Fleurbec'', p.27</ref>

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==References==

==References==

* http://www.wnps.org/plants/veratrum_viride.html

*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

* http://collections.ic.gc.ca/hazeltons/hellbore.htm

<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->

* http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Veratrum+viride&CAN=LATIND

<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->

* http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=VEVI

<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->

* http://ghs.gresham.k12.or.us/science/ps/nature/gorge/3petal/lily/green.htm [http://web.archive.org/web/20040514025137/http://ghs.gresham.k12.or.us/science/ps/nature/gorge/3petal/lily/green.htm wayback machine]

 

*Fleurbec Group (ed), 1981, ''Plantes cauvages comestibles''. Saint-henri-de-Lévis, Quebec, Canada. ISBN 2-920174-03-7