Helleborus foetidus - Stinking Hellebore - (Ranunculaceae)

Helleborus foetidus - Stinking hellebore

The attractive flowers have a strong and unpleasant smell.

Stinking hellebore flowers early, usually in February and March. Found in hedgerows and woodlands mainly on lime, this is a large and very attractive plant with clusters of pale green flowers, often edged with purple. Although mainly found in the southern part of the UK, it can also be found throughout Europe as far south as the Mediterranean. Despite its very pretty flowers, the plant is named after its strong and unpleasant smell.

Closeup of Stinking Hellebore

The specimen shown above and to the left was photographed in mid Wales in early March.