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With some reservations, I decided to include a section on 'new' plants with the
understanding that the plants do not exactly fit current nomenclature. Despite
the challenge inherent in naming these plants, many are stunningly beautiful
in their own right and also have potential in breeding programs. I will put
updates here as they become available, but my plants will not mature for
several years. The photos on this page come from wild plants.
Some of the confusion centers on the plants we currently refer to as
'Helleborus torquatus' and 'Helleborus multifidus'. Often in colonies of H.
multifidus, plants occur with dark markings (the presence of anthocyanins is
evident). Also, in colonies of H. torquatus, plants occur that are totally or
almost completely green, but conventional descriptions often maintain that H.
torquatus is a dark flowered species. Flower color and distribution have been
the main criteria for separating the two. Many plants appear to be intermediate
in flower between the two species, but the foliage of these 'new' plants does
not always correspond to that of H. multifidus and H. torquatus. So, the
situation at current is a great puzzle. With further fieldwork the situation may be
sufficiently resolved, but for now we can be content with appreciating some of
these unique and attractive plants via photos.
All photos on this page taken in the wild by Matthias Thomsen.
(click to enlarge)
