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Helleborus occidentalis, Reuter (1869) Perennial, glabrous, usually 8-16" in flower Leaves basal, serrate or dentate, slightly pedate with 7-13 segments; not wintergreen. Flowers green, approximately 1.5" in diameter Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Britain Woodland, scrub to around 5000' Formerly known as Helleborus viridis subsp. occidentalis, H. occidentalis represents one of the several green-flowered acaulescent species. Distribution of H. occidentalis is more westerly and northerly than that of Helleborus viridis, covering a wide area from Britain and Belgium down through parts of France, Spain, and Germany; however, the true natural range is not entirely known. It has been cultivated in gardens and monasteries at various points throughout history, so much of its current range may be the result of garden escapes. The plants have often been used is homeopathic and medical treatments, and it is reported to have been a garden escape in the northeastern states of the US. So, its current range is relatively large and varied, and it can adapt to many different soils and growing conditions. Until recently, this species was treated as a subspecies of Helleborus viridis; however, it has been raised to specific status and both species have distinguishing features worth mentioning. Other than geographical distribution, some features that distinguish it from H. viridis include: Smaller plant and sepals initially more inwardly curved Leaves more serrate Follicles often shorter Leaflets glabrous and division of leaflets further toward the tips rather than near the base. (From Mathew and McLewin. "Helleborus viridis", Plantsman 1:3 September 2002, 150-153.) H. occidentalis is primarily a plant of woodland but occurs in many different environments. In the Pyrenees it can be found at high elevations in exposed conditions. Like most hellebores, it is an easy plant in cultivation. The leaves are not wintergreen but persist through summer before turning brown and dessicating in autumn. Flowers are small to medium and mostly green to light green. Overall, it is an unassuming plant that hasn't received much attention in horticultural circles but is certainly worth growing, particularly in light woodland conditions or in a natural garden setting. The flowers are often born on long pedicels and often reflex strongly after fertilization so that the sepals are held almost horizontally. It is a charming look actually, particularly when combined with other woodland plants. H. occidentalis is a plant that does not mind some shade and seems less happy about intense sun exposure than some of the other species in its group. Its foliage begins to turn brown in summer or fall, so providing dappled shade will prolong its season. Of course the trade-off, as usual with hellebores, is that more shade equals fewer blooms.

H. abruzzicus H. argutifolius H. atrorubens H. bocconei H. croaticus H. cyclophyllus H. dumetorum H. foetidus H. hercegovinus H. istriacus H. liguricus H. lividus H. multifidus H. niger H. odorus H. orientalis H. purpurascens H. thibetanus H. torquatus H. vesicarius H. viridis 'New' Hellebores

Top: Helleborus occidentalis in England. Photo by Tim Murphy. Bottom: H. occidentalis in Germany. Photo by Matthias Thomsen.