Hellebore, << HEHL uh bawr, >> is the common name of a genus of plants in the crowfoot family. They are native to Europe and Asia and grow in some areas of North America. They have thick, fibrous roots and large flowers. The Christmas rose, or black hellebore, blooms from late fall to early spring. Its white or pale purple flowers look like single roses. Its roots and leaves contain a poison.
False hellebores, which are not related to the true hellebores, are found in Europe, Asia, and North America. The American white hellebore, or Indian poke, is 2 to 8 feet (0.6 to 2.4 meters) high and has small green or greenish-yellow flowers. Its roots are dried and ground to powder for use as an insecticide.
