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Helleborus lividus, Aiton (1789)
Endemic to the island of Majorca, Helleborus lividus is now uncommon in the
wild. It is also relatively rare in gardens due to the fact it is not reliably frost
hardy in many continental environments. H. lividus is a very stocky plant with
foliage less than 10" high and flowers to little more than 1 ft. Its size clearly
distinguishes it from Helleborus argutifolius, as do its colorful markings and
geographical distribution. The flowers are small and not overwhelming, but
the cream to light green interior contrasts well with the pinkish and purplish
hues on the outer sepals. Despite its size, the plant has a wonderful
demeanor and is capable of interesting color combinations on the leaves,
petioles, and flowers; it can be quite showy
The leaves of H. lividus are usually far less toothed and more colorful than
those of H. argutifolius. It is also an overall much smaller plant. Like the
Corsican hellebore, it is trifoliate (the young first leaves are often entire), but
the color is a deeper green with silver marbling. The pinkish hues of the
flowers are also carried on the petioles, and on underside of the leaves dark
veining is sometimes present. The two species can hybridize freely and have
in the past been considered different forms of the same species; but, they are
now generally viewed as distinct, and each are geographically isolated from
the other.
Hybrids and garden intermediates between the two species are referred to as
Helleborus x sternii. Hybrids can produce plants closely resembling either
parent (phenetically indistinguishable), as well as a whole spectrum of
intermediate forms between those extremes. Even back crosses with H.
lividus may not reliably give the coloration found in true H. lividus.
The Majorcan hellebore has been used successful crosses invlolving H.
niger, most often as a pollen parent. Hybrids of H. lividus often keep much of
the beauty while gaining hardiness. Two of these are Helleborus x ballardiae
(a hybrid of H. niger and H. lividus) and Helleborus x ericsmithii (a hybrid of H.
niger and H x sternii). Some of these are excellent garden plants, and are
often sterile. Several have recently been mass produced via tissue culture.
- Perennial, glabrous to 16" in flower
- Leaves along stem, trifoliate, mostly not toothed; often wintergreen on
annual stem but tender (USDA zone 8) - Flowers cream, green often with pinkish markings; 1.25-2.5" in
diameter - Majorca, Minorca?Cabrera?
- Woodland, slopes, valleys to 4000 feet
Endemic to the island of Majorca, Helleborus lividus is now uncommon in the
wild. It is also relatively rare in gardens due to the fact it is not reliably frost
hardy in many continental environments. H. lividus is a very stocky plant with
foliage less than 10" high and flowers to little more than 1 ft. Its size clearly
distinguishes it from Helleborus argutifolius, as do its colorful markings and
geographical distribution. The flowers are small and not overwhelming, but
the cream to light green interior contrasts well with the pinkish and purplish
hues on the outer sepals. Despite its size, the plant has a wonderful
demeanor and is capable of interesting color combinations on the leaves,
petioles, and flowers; it can be quite showy
The leaves of H. lividus are usually far less toothed and more colorful than
those of H. argutifolius. It is also an overall much smaller plant. Like the
Corsican hellebore, it is trifoliate (the young first leaves are often entire), but
the color is a deeper green with silver marbling. The pinkish hues of the
flowers are also carried on the petioles, and on underside of the leaves dark
veining is sometimes present. The two species can hybridize freely and have
in the past been considered different forms of the same species; but, they are
now generally viewed as distinct, and each are geographically isolated from
the other.
Hybrids and garden intermediates between the two species are referred to as
Helleborus x sternii. Hybrids can produce plants closely resembling either
parent (phenetically indistinguishable), as well as a whole spectrum of
intermediate forms between those extremes. Even back crosses with H.
lividus may not reliably give the coloration found in true H. lividus.
The Majorcan hellebore has been used successful crosses invlolving H.
niger, most often as a pollen parent. Hybrids of H. lividus often keep much of
the beauty while gaining hardiness. Two of these are Helleborus x ballardiae
(a hybrid of H. niger and H. lividus) and Helleborus x ericsmithii (a hybrid of H.
niger and H x sternii). Some of these are excellent garden plants, and are
often sterile. Several have recently been mass produced via tissue culture.
Helleborus lividus flowers and leaf, and a
H x ericmsmithii leaf (bottom).
H x ericmsmithii leaf (bottom).