Veratrum album White hellebore (Melanthiaceae)

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Veratrum album
White hellebore
(1 Page of 5)

The Veratrum album plant species is found in Europe. E. Asia - Siberia. N. Africa. It is a member of the Melanthiaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as White hellebore.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
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Latin Name:  Veratrum album
Common Name:  White hellebore
Family:  Melanthiaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  All parts of the plant are highly poisonous[7, 10, 19, 65].

Mature Height:  1.5   Mature Width:  0.6

Habitat:  Moist grassy sub-alpine meadows and open woods[187].

Medicinal Information: The root is analgesic, anthelmintic, cathartic, emetic, errhine, expectorant, hypnotic and sternutatory[4, 7, 9, 178, 192]. The root is very poisonous, with a paralyzing effect on the nervous system, and is scarcely if ever used internally[4, 7], though the alkaloids it contains are used in the pharmaceutical industry[9]. It is occasionally used externally as a local analgesic, though even this is not without its dangers since it can be absorbed through broken skin[4, 7]. It is also used in vetinary medicine[244]. The root is harvested in early autumn and is dried for later use[7].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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