Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

California False Hellebore (Veratrum californicum) is a native perennial herb that grows in Northern, Southern and Central California, primarily in the Transverse Range, the Peninsular Range and Modoc Plateau regions. It is fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 6 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are white and striking, and bloom in the mid spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in disturbed or recently burned places, at elevations from 0-11000 feet.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

6 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Fast

Dormancy

Winter Deciduous

Calscape icon
Color

White

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Partial Shade

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil description

Prefers loamy or clay soils. Grows poorly in sandy soils.

Site type

Disturbed places

Plant communities

Douglas-Fir Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 4 likely

Confirmed Likely

Hellebore Geometer

Eupithecia cretaceata

Olethreutes deprecatorius

Spotted Cut-Worm

Xestia c-nigrum

Xestia infimatis