“Green false hellebore” by Forest Service Alaska Region, USDA, licensed under CC BY 2.0

Hul'q'umi'num' name:

qwunulhp

English Name:

Indian Hellebore

Alternative English Names:

Indian Poke, False Hellebore, Corn Lily

Scientific Name:

Veratrum viride

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Description

Description, Habitat, Ecology, Distribution

This is a perennial plant that grows from short, stout, rhizomes (underground stems). The leaves are broad, oblong to elliptic, and with prominent ribs running their length. The pale-green flowers appear in numerous, terminal clusters with drooping tassels. The fruits are small capsules that contain papery seeds. This species occurs in bet areas such as thickets, meadows, bogs and swamps, and usually open forests. It may be found from low to subalpine elevations throughout the coast.

Cautions

This species may be harmful. It contains numerous toxic alkaloids and all parts of the plant are toxic, especially the inner rhizome. This plant is capable of producing a range of symptoms of poisoning, including death.

Language

Hul'q'umi'num' Name

qwunulhp

APA

qʷənəłp

Speaker

Ruby Peter

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Photos