Latin veratrum – ancient name for hellebore (Helleborus).
Perennial, rhizomatous herbs with leafy stems. Leaves several to many, cauline and basal, linear to elliptic, folded, sheathing. Flowers radially symmetrical, funnel- or cup-shaped, erect or spreading. Inflorescence a many-flowered terminal panicle.Tepals 3+3, free or shortly united, without obvious nectaries. Stamens 6, attached to tepal bases. Ovary superior (rarely inferior), ovoid. Fruit a capsule. Seeds numerous, brown.
Latin veratrum - ancient name for hellebore (Helleborus).
Sometimes cultivated on moist rich soil under shade.
About 50 species from the temperate Northern Hemisphere.
Rhizomes; stems with plicate leaves; panicles of flowers without obvious nectaries.
Farmer (1983), Matthew (1989).
Source: (2005). Melanthiaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.