hellebores

Noun

hellebore (countable and uncountable, plural hellebores)

1. Any of the common garden flowering plants of the genus Helleborus, in family Ranunculaceae, having supposed medicinal properties.
   • Aretæus recommends moderate venæsection to be repeated, if the patient is plethoric, purging with black hellebore, and in some cases emetics; nourishing diet.1811, Theodric Romeyn Beck, An Inaugural Dissertation on Insanity, page 29

   Synonyms:

   Christmas rose

2. A toxic extract of certain false hellebores (Veratrum album or Veratrum viride), formerly used as a pesticide.
   • Of the numerous substances tried, the one which seems best to fulfill these conditions is powdered hellebore. Some of the powdered hellebore in use is prepared from the roots of a plant which botanists know as Veratrum viride, and which is popularly known as Indian polk or itch weed.1915 July 14, Leland Ossian Howard, Robert Harris Hutchison, House Flies, US Department of Agriculture, Farmers' Bulletin No. 679, page 15