Veratrum album - False helleborine

Veratrum album, known as a false helleborine, is a multi -year, herbaceous plant from the Melanthiaceae family. This poisonous plant is native to the temperate regions of Europe and Asia and grows preferably in alpine and subalpine regions. Despite its highly toxic nature, Veratrum album has a long history in folk medicine and was used in various cultures as a healing and poisonous plant.

Morphology

Veratrum album is an impressive plant that can reach a height of 50 to 150 centimeters. The plant grows from a thick, rhizomous rootstock, which is very branched and has numerous fibrous roots. The stem is upright, strong and unexpected, with the lower parts of the stem often covered by the wide leaf sheaths of the lower leaves.

The leaves are alternately arranged, large, wide and oval lanceolate. You have a striking, parallel -reservable structure that gives you a striking look. The leaves are light green and can be up to 30 centimeters long and 10 centimeters wide. The lower leaves are larger than the upper, which gradually become smaller towards the top of the stem.

The flowers of Veratrum album are arranged in large, terminal panicles that have a striking appearance. The flowers themselves are small, greenish and white and have six tepals that are spread-shaped. Each flower has six stamens and three ambulances that have grown into an upper ovet node. The flowering period ranges from June to August, whereby the plant forms a distinctive contrast to the surrounding vegetation in full bloom.

After the flower, Veratrum album develops three-fermented, elongated, oval capsule fruits, which contain numerous small, winged seeds. These seeds are spread by the wind and enable the plant to spread over long distances.

Distribution and habitat

Veratrum album is widespread in Europe, especially in the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Carpathian and other mountain regions. The plant prefers moist, nutrient -rich soils and thrives particularly well on acid to neutral soils. It is often on damp meadows, in bogs, on the banks of the stream and in light forests, often at high altitudes between 500 and 2500 meters. It is less common in deeper locations.

The plant is a typical representative of the alpine and subalpine flora and can occur in dense stocks. Because of her toxicity, she is avoided by pasture animals, which gives her a competitive advantage in certain areas and enables her to dominate in otherwise over -groomed areas.

Toxicity and medical applications

Veratrum album is one of the most poisonous plants in Europe and contains a number of potent alkaloids, especially Protoveratrin A and B, Germerin and Jervin. These alkaloids have a strong toxic effect on the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system and the digestive tract. Even small amounts of the plant can cause severe poisoning, which are expressed by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, cramps, bradycardia (slow heartbeat) and in extreme cases through breathing paralysis and cardiac arrest.

Historically, Veratrum album in folk medicine was used as a laxative, breakage and the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure. However, the application was always with great caution and in highly diluted doses to avoid the toxic effects. Due to its narrow therapeutic window and its potential danger, the plant is hardly used in modern medicine.

In homeopathy, however, Veratrum album continues to apply, especially in the treatment of circulatory complaints, diarrhea and shock states. In homeopathy, the plant is used in a strongly diluted form, which minimizes the risk of poisoning.

Ecological meaning

Veratrum album plays an interesting role in the ecosystem of alpine and subalpine habitats. Due to its toxicity, the plant is avoided by most herbivores, which means that they often occur in large stocks in pasture areas where other plants are separated. However, the plant can be dangerous for humans and pasture animals, since even small quantities that are unintentionally absorbed can lead to severe poisoning.

In the natural habitats in which Veratrum album occurs, the plant contributes to biodiversity and offers habitat for a variety of insects that feed on the flowers and leaves of the plant. The seeds are spread by the wind, which enables the plant to effectively spread in suitable habitats.