If you didn't know that hellebores, oleander, and periwinkle (Vinca major and Vinca minor) are poisonous, this is a warning to you!

Do not be lulled into a false sense of security by thinking only a few plants are poisonous, such as foxglove, hemlock, mistletoe, and the deadly nightshade (all of which are well-known). There are actually quite a large number of plants which are poisonous.

Hellebores contain glycosides variously named helleborin(e), helleborein(e) and helleborigenin(e). In common with many of the buttercup family, hellebores also contain protoanemonin in varying amounts according to the species.

The roots of all Helleborus are strongly emetic and potentially fatal. In the past, it was sometimes used to cause vomiting after poisoning but this is now known to be harmful. Some varieties were used in the past to treat worms in children, the idea being to expel the worms by vomiting. Some varieties of worm remain in the stomach so this treatment may sometimes have been successful. Where the worms had moved to the gut, however, it would seem that the dose would be repeated and increased, often resulting in the death of the child.

Hellebores are said to produce diarrhoea and have caused cardiac (heart) problems.

says: Diana Grant

Diana was a Member of the Royal Horticultural Society. She & her family all love gardening. She enjoys photographing & painting plants too.

I'd leave the link but this box won't accept it.

BTW, I love all these plants because they have beautiful foliage and flowers but don't plant them if you have pets or little ones around your place.

God created man and surrounded him with splendid gifts

+1 Beautiful