Veratrum californicum |
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California false hellebore |
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Habit | Tall perennial herbs from thick rhizomes, the simple stem glabrous below, 1.5-2 m. tall. |
Leaves | Leaves numerous, alternate, cauline, ovate to broadly elliptic, 2-3 dm. long and over as broad, strongly sheathing at base, reduced upward. |
Flowers | Inflorescence a dense panicle, 3-6 dm. long, stiffly erect, the lower branches not drooping; pedicels 1-3 mm. long; perianth off-white to greenish tinged, saucer-shaped; tepals 6, distinct, lanceolate to elliptic, broadly clawed at base, 10-17 mm. long, nearly entire and glabrous; stamens 6, about as long as the tepals. |
Fruits | Capsule 2-3 cm. long, glabrous, narrowly ovoid, tipped with the persistent styles. |
Veratrum californicum |
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Flowering time | June-August |
Habitat | Moist meadows and woodlands, lowlands to subalpine. |
Distribution | Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Washington south to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.
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Origin | Native |
Conservation status | Not of concern |
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Subordinate taxa | |
Web links |