Black Hellebore, Christmas rose
Helleborus niger
Family: Ranunculaceae
What it is like
A perennial plant. It grows 30-45 cm high and is the same width. It forms clumps. The leaves are dark green and leathery. They are 20 cm long and have 5-9 broad leaflets. These have teeth around the edge. The flowers are saucer shaped and white with yellow stamens. The leaflets are toothed and dark green.
There are 15 Helleborus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It is frost hardy. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Austria, Europe, France, Germany, Italy (country/location of origin), Mediterranean, Myanmar, SE Asia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Tasmania
How it is used for food
The starch of the root is used for extending bread flour, after removing the bitter element. Caution: It contains alkaloids and should only be used very sparingly especially by pregnant women.
It is a famine food.
Edible parts
Root - starch
How it is grown
Plants are grown by seed. It can be grown by division.
Its other names
Local names
črni teloh, Myet-kyin, Saung-may-kha