Helleborus x hybridus
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- Perennial, pubescent; 8-12" in flower
- Leaves basal, serrate, pedate; 10-16 segments
- Flowers green, 1.5-2" in diameter
- NW Croatia, NE Italy
- Woodland, edge, scrub; elevation 1500-4500'
A little known and rarely used plant synonymous with H. multifidus subsp.
istriacus, the distribution of Helleborus istriacus is centered in the northwest
portion of Croatia (e.g. Istria, as the name suggests). Its leaves can be quite
nice and are intermediate (in appearance) between H. odorus and H.
mutlifidus (or H. torquatus for example).
Flowers are totally green in 'classical' H. istriacus, but populations exist (as is
the case with many Balkan populations) that can be very confusing.
Occasionally, light spotting or dark markings occur on sepals. There is
nothing particularly challenging about its growth habits. It is suitable for open
positions or light shade. In the wild it grows in areas with hot (Mediterranean)
summers, often going through periods without significant amounts of
moisture. Variation is standard in acaulescent species, and H. istriacus is no
exception. Expect leaves that can be quite divided (like Helleborus multifidus
but mostly less so) or ones with broader and fewer divisions as in Helleborus
odorus. Another nice feature is the possibility of dark markings on bracts and
young foliage in early spring.
Here is a gallery of some wild plants on the island of Krk and on the mainland
in the Ucka mountain range. All photos by Joseph Woodard.
Krk
Ucka mountains
- H. abruzzicus
- H. argutifolius
- H. atrorubens
- H. bocconei
- H. croaticus
- H. cyclophyllus
- H. dumetorum
- H. foetidus
- H. hercegovinus
- H. liguricus
- H. lividus
- H. multifidus
- H. niger
- H. occidentalis
- H. odorus
- H. orientalis
- H. purpurascens
- H. thibetanus
- H. torquatus
- H. vesicarius
- H. viridis
rain in Croatia's Ucka mountains.
Photo by Joseph Woodard
Photo by Tim Murphy
