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Need ID for understory flower

15 years ago

I found a 30 to 40 of these flowers in a loblolly pine understory near an overgrown abandoned homesite in Raleigh, North Carolina. Flower color ranged from pale cream, to green, to purple. I'm relatively new to NC and don't recall seeing this type of flower before.

Sorry about the photo quality. It was getting dark when I stumbled upon these.

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Comments (3)

Iris GW
15 years ago
Hellebore. Not native.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hellebore
m_taggart
Original Author
15 years ago
Shucks, I thought I found something good.

Thanks for the ID!
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Thanks everyone, any thoughts on Magnolia? I considered service berry, but I have dogs who like to nibble on fallen branches, aren't service berries poisonous? Otherwise, I'd love them, they are beautiful. I have been in love with rosebud forest pansies since I was a kid. They always reminded me of aquarium plants. I put one in my front yard and its absolutely thriving! It went from a dormant stick to 10 feet tall and just about as wide in 3 years, They grow like crazy. Tornado, you said they are short lived though, when can I expect this one to expire :-(
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razorback33
15 years ago
While it isn't native to the Americas, it still is a desirable winter blooming perennial that can be grown in gardens in most temperate zones.
They have, until recently, been propagated only by seed or division, so they continue to command a handsome retail price.

I grow hundreds of 12 species of Helleborus in the garden, alongside my natives and other non-invasive introductions.

They require a somewhat moist, well drained location, with some sun exposure or dappled shade. Once established, they are relatively trouble free and drought tolerant. Predators, including deer, usually avoid them, as all parts of the plant are toxic.
Rb

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