Hellebore Facts for Kids

Helleborus thibetanus

Hellebores are a group of beautiful flowering plants. They belong to a plant family called Ranunculaceae. There are about 20 different kinds, or species, of hellebores. These plants can be either herbaceous (meaning their stems die back in winter) or evergreen (meaning they keep their leaves all year). They are also perennial plants, which means they live for more than two years.

Even though they are sometimes called "winter rose," "Christmas rose," or "Lenten rose," hellebores are not related to actual roses. It's important to know that many hellebore species are poisonous. So, you should never eat any part of these plants.

Where Hellebores Grow and What They Look Like
Hybrid Hellebores Gallery
Species Hellebores Gallery
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Where Hellebores Grow and What They Look Like

Helleborus odorus at the New York Botanical Garden

Different hellebore types: Helleborus viridis (top left); H. foetidus (top right); and various H. × hybridus flowers

Most hellebore species come from Europe and Asia. You can find many different kinds in the Balkans region. One special type, H. thibetanus, grows far away in western China. Another unique species, H. vesicarius, is found in a small area near the border of Turkey and Syria.

Hellebore flowers have five parts that look like petals. These parts are actually called sepals. Inside these sepals, there's a ring of small, cup-shaped parts. These are the true petals, but they have changed to hold nectar, which is a sweet liquid that attracts insects.

Unlike real petals, the sepals on hellebores do not fall off. They stay on the plant, sometimes for many months. Scientists have found that these lasting sepals help the plant's seeds grow and develop.