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Helleborus vesicarius, Aucher (1841)
Helleborus vesicarius is an interesting hellebore. It is unlike any other, though
the flowers have a similar appearance to those of H. foetidus. It is neither
caulescent nor acaulescent in the context of hellebores. It seems to produce
no stem at all and is thus the least caulescent of all hellebores.
It grows in a restricted area in the coastal mountains of southeast Turkey. The
climate can be very dry and hot, but like other Mediterranean climates, nights
can be quite cool even in summer. Flowers are small and not produced in
abundance, but they can be nicely colored with reddish-purple-brown around
the rims and half way down the sepals. Leaves are divided into three, further
deeply divided lobes. Bracts, leaves and leaflets are compact. Bracts are very
leaf-like giving the flower stalk a caulescent appearance.
One of the most drastically different aspects of H. vesicarius in relation to other
hellebores is the inflated follicles that produce seed but do not split when ripe.
Rather, the ripe capsules remain intact and break off to be dispersed by the
wind.
Though interesting, H. vesicarius is not likely to become a wildly popular
garden plant. It is perhaps more of a curiosity. It goes dormant very early in
summer, so the plants have a rather short season of interest compared to
most other hellebores. Cultural conditions are also more challenging. Most
often the plants are treated like a bulb and grown in dry summer conditions
when dormant. For those in summer-wet environments, controlled conditions
may be necessary.
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Further reading: McLewin and Mathew. "Helleborus vesicarius and Helleborus
thibetanus". The New Plantsman 6:3, September, 1999. 139-147.
- Perennial, glabrous; height to 24"
- Leaves basal, pedate with three primary divisions, segments jagged;
not overwintering - Flowers small, green with red/brown thick rim; .5" in diameter
- S. Turkey, Syrian border region
- Scrub, open hills; elevation 1500-4500'
Helleborus vesicarius is an interesting hellebore. It is unlike any other, though
the flowers have a similar appearance to those of H. foetidus. It is neither
caulescent nor acaulescent in the context of hellebores. It seems to produce
no stem at all and is thus the least caulescent of all hellebores.
It grows in a restricted area in the coastal mountains of southeast Turkey. The
climate can be very dry and hot, but like other Mediterranean climates, nights
can be quite cool even in summer. Flowers are small and not produced in
abundance, but they can be nicely colored with reddish-purple-brown around
the rims and half way down the sepals. Leaves are divided into three, further
deeply divided lobes. Bracts, leaves and leaflets are compact. Bracts are very
leaf-like giving the flower stalk a caulescent appearance.
One of the most drastically different aspects of H. vesicarius in relation to other
hellebores is the inflated follicles that produce seed but do not split when ripe.
Rather, the ripe capsules remain intact and break off to be dispersed by the
wind.
Though interesting, H. vesicarius is not likely to become a wildly popular
garden plant. It is perhaps more of a curiosity. It goes dormant very early in
summer, so the plants have a rather short season of interest compared to
most other hellebores. Cultural conditions are also more challenging. Most
often the plants are treated like a bulb and grown in dry summer conditions
when dormant. For those in summer-wet environments, controlled conditions
may be necessary.
____________________________________________________________
Further reading: McLewin and Mathew. "Helleborus vesicarius and Helleborus
thibetanus". The New Plantsman 6:3, September, 1999. 139-147.
H. vesicarius in cultivation.
Photo by Tony Willis
Photo by Tony Willis
H. vesicarius in cultivation.
Photo by Mike Byford
Photo by Mike Byford
