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false-hellebore

Stems

1–2.5m, glabrous proximally, tomentose distally.

Leaves

ovate, distally lanceolate to lance-linear, 20–40 × 15–25 cm, abaxially tomentose to ciliate or curly-haired, adaxially glabrous or with veins sparsely short-haired.

Inflorescences

dense panicles, 30–70 cm;

branches spreading to stiffly erect;

distal 33–50% unbranched, tomentose;

bracts ovate-elliptic to lanceolate; shorter than to much longer than flowers.

Pedicel

1–6 mm.

Flowers

tepals lanceolate to elliptic or oblong-ovate, 8–17 mm; creamy white with a greenish base, not or very slightly clawed;

margins entire to minutely dentate, glabrous to abaxially tomentose;

gland 1, green; V-shaped;

basal;

ovary glabrous or minutely hairy.

Fruits

narrowly ovoid, 2–3 cm, glabrous.

Seeds

flat, 1–2 cm, winged.

2n

=32.

Veratrum californicum

Distribution
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Western North America. 2 varieties.

Source Flora of Oregon, volume 1, page 316
Tamra Prior
Sibling taxa
V. fimbriatum, V. insolitum, V. viride
Subordinate taxa
V. californicum var. californicum, V. californicum var. caudatum
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