black-hellebore

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• black veratrum
• black-hellebore
• Black False-hellebore
• Black False Hellebore

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Veratrum nigrum var. ussuriense
• Helonias nigra
• Melanthium nigrum
• Veratrum bracteatum
• Veratrum ussuriense
• Veratrum nigrum subsp. ussuriense
• Veratrum nigrum var. microcarpum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Liliales, it is further categorized into the family Melanthiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Veratrum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several regions within Middle Europe. Specifically, its presence can be documented in the country of Austria. It is also found throughout the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Furthermore, its geographical range extends into Hungary and Poland. Finally, the distribution of this species includes the mountainous landscapes of Switzerland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Veratrum nigrum is characterized by its presence across diverse high-altitude landscapes, ranging from dense forests and shrubberies to various meadow environments, including both dry and wet meadows. This species thrives in mountainous terrain, occupying a broad vertical distribution that spans from a minimum elevation of 1,200 m AMSL to a maximum of 3,300 m AMSL. With a mean elevational range of approximately 2,250 m AMSL, the plant is primarily adapted to the specific climatic and soil conditions found within these mid-to-high altitude montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, meadows: dry, meadows: wet, mountains, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Verratrum nigrum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its habitat over multiple growing seasons. It functions as a cryptophyte, employing specialized survival strategies to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. Specifically, its life form is classified as a geophyte, meaning it relies on underground storage organs to protect its vital biological structures during dormancy, ensuring its continued survival and regrowth in subsequent years.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Veratrum nigrum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, existing primarily as a terrestrial organism. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit epiphytic or parasitic behaviors, maintaining an independent life cycle. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1 m, with an average height of approximately 1 m. Its structural composition is entirely non-woody, consistent with its classification as a herbaceous species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Veratrum nigrum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its natural habitat. The plant's vegetative development is closely linked to its leaf morphology, exhibiting a specific range of dimensions necessary for optimal light interception and gas exchange. The foliage displays a mean leaf length of 23.5 cm, with individual leaves varying from a minimum length of 22 cm to a maximum length of 25 cm. This consistent leaf sizing and the utilization of the C3 pathway support the plant's energy production and overall physiological vigor.

Leaf length max:

25 cm

Leaf length mean:

23.5 cm

Leaf length min:

22 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Veratrum nigrum is characterized by its bisexual sexual reproduction mechanism. The plant produces an inflorescence that typically ranges in length from a minimum of 0.04 m to a maximum of 0.12 m. The flowering period is concentrated in the summer months, specifically starting in July and concluding in August. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits that vary in size; the fruit length ranges from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 2 cm, with an average length of 1.75 cm. Additionally, the fruit width fluctuates between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 1.2 cm, maintaining a mean width of 1.1 cm.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

2 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.75 cm

Fruit length min:

1.5 cm

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.1 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.12 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.04 m

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Veratrum nigrum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, rhizome.

Root

1. Journal of natural products
2. Journal of arthropod-borne diseases

Rhizome

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Veratrum nigrum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aurantiamide acetate, aconitine.

Aurantiamide acetate

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

aconitine

1. Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi = Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine

Conditions

Veratrum nigrum has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include colorectal cancer, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Colorectal cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypertension

1. Journal of natural products

Stroke

1. Journal of natural products

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Veratrum nigrum has 2 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include alkaloidal extract, ethanol extracts.

Alkaloidal extract

1. Journal of arthropod-borne diseases

Ethanol extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology