Unfortunately, many of these plants are toxic and provide a hazard to our playful family members. Their often attractive appearance increases the likelihood of being eaten by children. For pets the risk is greater simply due to increased availability. Thus, we would like consumers to be aware of the threat that their beautiful Christmas decorations might provide if attention is not paid to keeping these plants out of the reach of children and pets. In Europe Helleborus niger is considered one of the most traditional and noble seasonal plants of the Christmas time.
Serious poisoning following ingestion is rare.
The knowledge of the powerful toxicity or rather the medicinal potential of Christmas rose goes back to the Middle Ages, when it was extensively used by herbalists, and even to earlier times. Return to Cornell poison plant home page Description of the plant Classification and nomenclature Botanically, Christmas rose is classified to belong to the plant family Ranunculacae - the Buttercup Family, in which it fits well having the characteristic flower and fruit morphology. Niger refers to the black color of the roots of the Christmas rose plant. In its native habitat, the Christmas rose flowers from December through April, the season when snow is escaping leaving open spots for the first spring makers to grow, each clump producing groups of 2 or 3 large nodding flowers. H. niger in early summer.