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Christmas rose

How to identify Christmas rose (Helleborus niger)

Christmas rose, also known as Melampode

Christmas rose is a compact evergreen perennial with a unique blooming habit. Its distinguishing features include nodding flowers with petal-like sepals and a striking center composed of numerous stamens surrounded by tubular nectaries. This plant typically possesses stiff, large leaves that are deeply divided palmately into multiple leaflets, contributing to its lush appearance. The leaves provide a rich green backdrop for not only the creamy-white to pink blossoms but also the ripening seed pods, which morph into fleshy, beaked capsules post bloom.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Christmas rose

1

Solitary cup-shaped flowers, 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide, with white to rose sepals and yellow stamens.

2

Stiff leaves with deep palmate divisions and creamy-white to pink blossoms.

3

Clustered green capsules with long beaked structures, surrounded by persistent sepals.

4

Robust, slightly exposed stem, up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, with light green to pale brown color.

5

Dark green palmately compound leaves with 7-9 leaflets, irregularly toothed or serrated.

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Detailed Traits of Christmas rose

Leaf Features

The leaves of christmas rose are dark green and may be found either basal or cauline. They are palmately compound, usually having 7-9 leaflets. The texture is coriaceous and glabrous, with long petioles that are peltate. Each leaflet is irregularly toothed or serrated. This palmately divided structure contributes to its distinctive appearance, making the leaves a key feature for identification.

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Flower Features

Christmas rose flowers are solitary, cup-shaped and typically measure about 3 inches (7.5 cm) across. They feature five sepals that range in color from white to rose, creating a striking contrast with the numerous showy yellow stamens at the center. The sepals' arrangement and the prominence of the stamens are distinctive characteristics. The blooming period often occurs in the cooler months, providing a splash of color during late winter to early spring.

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Stem Features

The stem of christmas rose is described as stout and rhizomatous, often appearing slightly exposed. It is characterized by a robust, thick texture and a somewhat coarse surface. The color typically ranges from light green to a pale brown, depending on the age and environmental conditions. The stem lacks significant branching, maintaining a singular, thick appearance. Measurement-wise, the stem typically spans up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, providing a sturdy foundation for the plant.

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Fruit Features

The fruit produced by christmas rose manifests as clustered, green capsules that have a fleshy texture. Each capsule typically develops into a long-beaked structure, providing a distinctive appearance. These capsules are surrounded by the plant's persistent sepals which remain attached well after flowering. The vibrant green hue of the capsules contrasts with the sepals, aiding in their identification. The fruit's unique morphological features, especially the extended beak, make it a noteworthy characteristic of christmas rose.

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Key Facts About Christmas rose

Attributes of Christmas rose
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
10 cm to 30 cm
Spread
30 cm to 45 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
5 cm to 10 cm
Flower Color
White
Pink
Green
Cream
The Toxicity of Christmas rose
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Scientific Classification of Christmas rose

Family
Buttercup
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Species
Christmas rose (Helleborus niger)
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Distribution Map of Christmas rose

Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) is a flowering shrub native to several mainland European countries and introduced in others. It is also found as an introduced species in New York state. This plant isn't classed as an invasive species in its beloved woodland habitat, and it is grown ornamentally in temperate climates.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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