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Helleborus thibetanus, Franchet (1885)
Perhaps the loneliest of all hellebore species, Helleborus thibetanus is
completely isolated geographically from other species in the genus. Endemic
to China's Gansu, Shaanxi, Hubei, and Sichuan provinces, H. thibetanus is
relatively new to western gardens. Though previously known (formerly as
Helleborus chinensis and Helleborus viridis var. thibetanus), it was only
recently rediscovered and introduced to gardens in Europe. Now it is
becoming more widely available but is still one of the more elusive hellebores
to find in North America.
It has been found primarily in the shade of shrubs and trees, often in dense
shade in elevations of over 3000 feet. It is perhaps less inclined to thrive in hot
exposed locations and generally seems to prefer dappled shade and
somewhat moist conditions. The leaves go dormant early in the season,
usually in summer. It carries one or two basal leaves along with smaller
cauline leaves. One of the unique characteristics of this species is its
common habit of often forming two follicles as opposed to the typical three (or
more) in most hellebores. This is one reason why seed set does not occur in
plentiful quantities and consequently why relatively few nursery-raised plants
are available on the market.
The seed of H. thibetanus germinates and usually sends up its first true leaf
without visible cotyledons (i.e. hypogeal). Sepals are generally white to red-
pink fading to green when fruiting, and the bracts are noticeably large. A fully
mature plant is beautiful emerging from the soil in late winter, but the
horticultural value is reduced somewhat considering its short period of active
growth. It remains to be seen whether this plant will thrive in a continental
climate of extremes with continual periods of drought and heat.
H. thibetanus has produced hybrids with other hellebore species, but it is still
too early to tell the results as such hybrids have been done on a small scale
and are not generally commercially available.
Below are images of young seedlings. Notice that the cotyledons are not
photosynthetic even if they do appear above ground.
- Perennial, glabrous; 12-18" in flower
- Leaves basal, pedate, serrate with 8-10 segments; not overwintering
- Flowers white-pink, often veined; 1.5-2.5" in diameter
- Western China
- High altitude, damp forests; elevations 3300-10,000'
Perhaps the loneliest of all hellebore species, Helleborus thibetanus is
completely isolated geographically from other species in the genus. Endemic
to China's Gansu, Shaanxi, Hubei, and Sichuan provinces, H. thibetanus is
relatively new to western gardens. Though previously known (formerly as
Helleborus chinensis and Helleborus viridis var. thibetanus), it was only
recently rediscovered and introduced to gardens in Europe. Now it is
becoming more widely available but is still one of the more elusive hellebores
to find in North America.
It has been found primarily in the shade of shrubs and trees, often in dense
shade in elevations of over 3000 feet. It is perhaps less inclined to thrive in hot
exposed locations and generally seems to prefer dappled shade and
somewhat moist conditions. The leaves go dormant early in the season,
usually in summer. It carries one or two basal leaves along with smaller
cauline leaves. One of the unique characteristics of this species is its
common habit of often forming two follicles as opposed to the typical three (or
more) in most hellebores. This is one reason why seed set does not occur in
plentiful quantities and consequently why relatively few nursery-raised plants
are available on the market.
The seed of H. thibetanus germinates and usually sends up its first true leaf
without visible cotyledons (i.e. hypogeal). Sepals are generally white to red-
pink fading to green when fruiting, and the bracts are noticeably large. A fully
mature plant is beautiful emerging from the soil in late winter, but the
horticultural value is reduced somewhat considering its short period of active
growth. It remains to be seen whether this plant will thrive in a continental
climate of extremes with continual periods of drought and heat.
H. thibetanus has produced hybrids with other hellebore species, but it is still
too early to tell the results as such hybrids have been done on a small scale
and are not generally commercially available.
Below are images of young seedlings. Notice that the cotyledons are not
photosynthetic even if they do appear above ground.
Helleborus thibetanus closeup showing
the two carpels characteristic of the
species.
the two carpels characteristic of the
species.
