Veratrum nigrum

'Black False Hellebore'

[Ex. Prydniprovs´ka vysočyna 280 m., Ukraine]

Melanthiaceae: a rhizomatous, clump forming herbaceous perennial to 1.5m. Found in dry glades and water meadows, mountain slopes, scrub and rarely in broad-leaved woods. Large dense, branched panicles of small star-shaped, deep reddish-brown flowers. Erect stems bearing alternate, pleated ovate or elliptic leaves to 30cm in length. Native to Central, South and Southeast Europe, and Asia.

USES:

The root has anthelmintic, emetic, errhine, expectorant, laxative, analgesic and vermifuge properties. This herb is highly toxic and should not be used internally, or even externally, without expert guidance.

The dried and powdered root is used as an insecticide and a parasiticide.

WARNING: All parts of this plant are highly poisonous.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Cold-germinators are still referred to as frost-germinators, although this isn’t quite correct. The sowing must be kept warm (about +18 to +22°C) [about 64 to 72°F] and moist for the first 2–4 weeks. After this period the sowing must be kept at a cold temperature (between –4 and +4°C) [between 25 and 39°F] for another 4–6 weeks.

NOTE: I have read that the seed is dormant when fresh, and germinates best when a year or two old, coming up in 5 - 8 weeks. I have not tried this out for myself yet.

Requires a deep fertile moisture retentive humus-rich soil. Succeeds in full sun if the soil does not dry out but prefers a position in semi-shade. Grows well in north facing borders. Plants are hardy to about -25°C. The flowers smell of rotten fruit and are visited by flies. Plants are long-lived and can be left in the same position for years without attention.

HARVESTED: 2021

 
APPROX. 45 SEEDS