False Helleborine

False Helleborine Overview

Hardy, herbaceous perennial species with characteristic poisonous, black rhizomes. Also known by the common names false hellebore and white false hellebore, this species typically grows to around 2m tall. Foliage is large, measuring approximately 30cm long and 15cm wide. It is pleated and notably veined, oval to elliptic in shape. Leaves decrease in size and become more lance-shaped with height up the stems. Flowers are small, starry and arranged on branched structures called panicles in dense clusters. These are 6-petalled, star-shaped, coloured white-green and measure between 1.5-2.5cm wide. Originating from moist meadow and woodland environments in the Northern Hemisphere, this species is well-suited to woodland garden planting.