False Hellebore (Veratrum species)

(click on the image to enlarge)
False Hellebore
Photograph courtesy of Sandra Bray

(click on the image to enlarge)
False Hellebore
Photograph courtesy of Scott Marshall, PharmD

(click on the image to enlarge)
False Hellebore
Utah Poison Control Center

Scientific Name:   Veratrum species

Common Name:   False Hellebore

Type:   Native

Toxicity:   Poisonous

Berries/Fruits:   A 3-lobed capsule. Seed pods turn black as they ripen. The plant produces seeds in September.

Flowers:   Cream-colored flowers grow in clusters and appear in July and August.

Description:   Grows in damp areas on meadows and hillsides at high elevations. It emerges as soon as snow melts in the spring and reaches a height of 1.5 to 2 meters. Leaves may measure 20 to 30 cm long and 7 to 15 cm broad. Cream-colored flowers grow in clusters at the top of a single unbranched stalk that resembles corn.