Hellebore
Hellebore
Commonly known as hellebores (), the Eurasian genus Helleborus consists of approximately 20 species of herbaceous or evergreen perennial flowering plants in the family) Ranunculaceae, within which it gave its name to the tribe) of Helleboreae. Many hellebore species are poisonous.
Hellebore
Despite common names such as winter rose, Christmas rose, and Lenten rose, hellebores are not closely related to the rose family (Rosaceae).
Etymology
The common name "hellebore" is first attested in 1300s; it originates, via Old French and Latin, ultimately from Ancient Greek: ἑλλέβορος, romanized: helléboros. Although traditionally translated as "plant eaten by fawns", this could be folk etymology and, according to Beekes, really a Pre-Greek word. It is not related to the word "hell", despite the toxic nature of this plant.
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