(California False Hellebore)

_DSC1056%20copy

Veratrum californicum var. californicum, North Swan Valley, Summit Co. 6108

_DSC1056%20copy

Veratrum californicum var. californicum, FR 679, Ophir Pass Rd., San Juan Co. 8439

_DSC1056%20copy

Veratrum californicum var. californicum, North Swan Valley, Summit Co. 6115

_DSC1056%20copy

Veratrum californicum var. californicum, North Swan Valley, Summit Co. 6123

_DSC1056%20copy

Veratrum californicum, McCullough Gulch, Summit Co. 6442

_DSC1056%20copy

Veratrum californicum var. californicum, McCullough Gulch, Summit Co. 6457

Scientific Name Veratrum californicum var. californicum (Veratrum tenuipetalum) USDA PLANTS Symbol VECAC2
Common Name California False Hellebore, Corn Lily ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 530776
Family Melanthiaceae (False Hellebore) SEINet
Reference
Click Here
Description Life zones and habitat: Montane and subalpine (7500 to 11000 ft.); moist, low areas in meadows, creek bottoms and forest openings.
Plant: Erect, stout, leafy perennial up to 7 feet tall; growing in colonies.
Leaves: Many large corn-like leaves, ovate to oblong-lanceolate up to 12 inches long, reducing upwards; prominent parallel veins.
Inflorescence: Dense elongated panicle containing hundreds of greenish-white flowers, each with 6 greenish-white tepals.
Bloom Period: June to August.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Flora and Fauna Northwest, American Southwest and "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel.
BONAP Distribution Map


Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native
POISONOUS

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains