false hellebore

[fawls hel-uh-bawr]

noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Veratrum, family Melanthiaceae, with highly poisonous black rhizomes, including V. viride, with clusters of yellowish-green flowers, native to eastern and western North America: now rarely used in medicine, the alkaloids from false hellebores were once used in a number of treatments, as for high blood pressure.

Word History and Origins

Origin of false hellebore¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Last year the Northern New England Poison Control Center managed 25 cases involving Vermonters with possible false hellebore poisoning, more than four times the usual number.

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He recounted the case of a 26-year-old man who had gone foraging for ramps, the wild leek delicacy, and picked and ate the foliage of the false hellebore instead.

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The false hellebore may be found in midsummer in the mountains.

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The flowers which by their profusion and brilliancy most attract attention are, among myriads, the lupine, yucca, goldenrod, shooting star, ragwort, Queen Ann's lace, bears clover, false hellebore, many gilias, pentstemons, and monkey flowers.

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The health department says young leaves of American false hellebore are often mistaken for ramps.

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