Hellebore

Hellebore, any of a genus (Helleborus) of perennial plants of the crowfoot family, found mainly in Europe and Asia. It has very thick roots and large flowers. The Christmas rose, or black hellebore (H. niger), blooms from late fall to early spring and has white and purple flowers, which contain a strong poison. The American white hellebore, or Indian poke (Veratrum viride), is a false hellebore, unrelated to the true hellebores. It can be found from Canada to Georgia and grows from 2 to 8 ft (0.6 to 2.4 m) high, with green flowers. Its roots are used as an insecticide.