hellebore

/'helibɔ:/

Thân thiện

A gardener carefully plants a hellebore in a shaded flowerbed.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A plant of the Eurasian genus Helleborus: Any of various perennial plants belonging to this genus, known for their early, often winter-blooming flowers.
   • A plant of the lily family with toxic rhizomes: Any of several perennial herbs of the family Liliaceae (or Melanthiaceae), such as false hellebore, characterized by thick, poisonous rootstocks.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Christmas rose is a well-known type of hellebore that blooms in winter.
  • Gardeners value hellebores for their ability to flower in shady areas.
  • The toxic compounds in some hellebores have been used historically in medicine.

Advanced Usage

• "Stinking hellebore": A specific species () known for its unpleasant odor when crushed.
  • Despite its name, the stinking hellebore has attractive, pale green flowers.
• "Black hellebore": Historically referred to plants like (Christmas rose), used in ancient medicine.
  • Black hellebore was once thought to cure madness, hence its old name "Christmas rose".

Variants and Related Words

• Helleborus (n): The botanical genus name for true hellebores.
• False hellebore (n): Refers to plants in genera like (family Melanthiaceae), which are toxic and resemble true hellebores.
  • False hellebore is highly poisonous to livestock.

Synonyms

• Winter rose: A common name for certain species.
• Lenten rose: A common name for and related hybrids.

Related Phrases

• "As potent as hellebore": An archaic phrase suggesting something is very powerful or dangerously effective, referencing the plant's historical medicinal and toxic properties.
  • His words were as potent as hellebore, curing doubt but sowing fear.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "hellebore" can refer to two distinct groups: the ornamental garden plants of the genus (buttercup family) and the highly toxic plants like false hellebore (lily family). Context is crucial for correct identification.
• Historically, various hellebores were used in herbal medicine, but all parts of the plant are toxic and can be dangerous if ingested.

Học thuật

Noun

1. any plant of the Eurasian genus Helleborus
2. perennial herbs of the lily family having thick toxic rhizomes

Từ đồng nghĩa

• false hellebore