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Home/Species/ American False Hellebore

Veratrum viride

Ait.

American False Hellebore

G5Secure Found in 302 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.158937
Element CodePMLIL25070
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderLiliales
FamilyMelanthiaceae
GenusVeratrum
Other Common Names
green false hellebore (EN) Green False Hellebore (EN) Vérâtre vert (FR)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic Comments
This record is for a broad treatment of Veratrum viride, including V. viride var. eschscholzianum (=V. viride ssp. eschscholzii), as recognized by McNeal and Shaw in FNA (2002, vol. 26) and in Kartesz (1994, 1999) in which var. eschscholzianum is not recognized as distinct. Weakley et al. (2025) recognize V. viride more narrowly, excluding V. eschscholzii as a distinct species.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-07-22
Change Date1984-09-06
Edition Date2024-07-22
Edition AuthorsJohnson, J. (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Veratrum viride is an herb native to North America. With a large range extent, over 300 occurrences, and broad habitat preferences for abundant habitat, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent Comments
Veratrum viride is found in eastern and western North America. Veratrum viride var. viride is found in the eastern United States and Canada from Quebec and New Brunswick south to Georgia and west to Ohio. Veratrum viride var. eschscholtzianum is found in the western United States and Canada from Alaska south to California and east to Montana.
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be more than 300 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact Comments
Although threats are not widely documented, Veratrum viride is potentially threatened by development, road maintenance, invasive species, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Veratrum viride grows in moist meadows, openings in coniferous forests, shaded woodlands, seeps, streambanks, and wet boulderfields (FNA 2002, Weakley 2025).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandForest EdgeGrassland/herbaceous
Palustrine Habitats
SCRUB-SHRUB WETLANDFORESTED WETLANDRiparian
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
CaliforniaSNRYes
District of ColumbiaSNRYes
MontanaS4Yes
MassachusettsSNRYes
PennsylvaniaS5Yes
MarylandSNRYes
South CarolinaSNRYes
North CarolinaS4Yes
AlaskaSNRYes
WyomingSNRYes
New HampshireSNRYes
New JerseyS4Yes
TennesseeS3Yes
ConnecticutSNRYes
West VirginiaS4Yes
OhioSNRYes
OregonSNRYes
VermontS5Yes
Rhode IslandSNRYes
WashingtonSNRYes
New YorkS5Yes
GeorgiaS2Yes
MaineSNRYes
IdahoSNRYes
DelawareS4Yes
VirginiaS5Yes
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
Northwest TerritoriesS4Yes
LabradorS2Yes
Nova ScotiaS1Yes
British ColumbiaS5Yes
QuebecSNRYes
New BrunswickS4Yes
AlbertaS4Yes
Yukon TerritoryS4Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
Unknown/undeterminedUnknown——

—

Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (302)
Alaska (66)
AreaForestAcres
Behm IslandsTongass National Forest4,777
Bering LakeChugach National Forest965,076
Boston BarChugach National Forest53,617
Brabazon AdditionTongass National Forest498,819
Central WrangellTongass National Forest13,397
ChichagofTongass National Forest555,858
Chilkat-West Lynn CanalTongass National Forest199,772
Chugach-12Chugach National Forest8,116
Chugach-13Chugach National Forest13,337
ClevelandTongass National Forest189,447
College FiordChugach National Forest1,130,818
Copper River WetlandsChugach National Forest85,972
Douglas IslandTongass National Forest28,065
East MitkofTongass National Forest8,795
East WrangellTongass National Forest7,630
EudoraTongass National Forest195,022
Fidalgo-GravinaChugach National Forest257,968
Freshwater BayTongass National Forest44,933
Game CreekTongass National Forest54,469
GravinaTongass National Forest37,381
Green RocksTongass National Forest11,093
HardingTongass National Forest174,349
Hoonah SoundTongass National Forest79,764
HyderTongass National Forest121,723
Johnson PassChugach National Forest152,508
Juneau UrbanTongass National Forest101,581
Juneau-Skagway IcefieldTongass National Forest1,187,268
KartaTongass National Forest52,117
Kenai LakeChugach National Forest213,172
Kenai MountainsChugach National Forest306,600
KogishTongass National Forest65,216
LindenbergTongass National Forest25,855
MadanTongass National Forest68,553
Mansfield PeninsulaTongass National Forest54,991
ManzanitaTongass National Forest8,401
MontagueChugach National Forest204,875
MosmanTongass National Forest53,492
Nellie JuanChugach National Forest713,697
North BaranofTongass National Forest314,089
North ClevelandTongass National Forest105,288
North EtolinTongass National Forest40,993
North KruzofTongass National Forest33,146
North RevillaTongass National Forest215,430
North WrangellTongass National Forest8,091
Pavlof-East PointTongass National Forest5,399
Port AlexanderTongass National Forest120,681
Prince William Sound Is.Chugach National Forest118,698
QuartzTongass National Forest143,003
RedoubtTongass National Forest68,347
ResurrectionChugach National Forest224,615
RevillaTongass National Forest29,298
RhineTongass National Forest23,010
Roaded DonutChugach National Forest968
Sheridan GlacierChugach National Forest224,683
Sitka SoundTongass National Forest13,459
Sitka UrbanTongass National Forest112,003
South KruzofTongass National Forest55,193
South RevillaTongass National Forest52,105
SpiresTongass National Forest533,746
Taku-SnettishamTongass National Forest664,928
Thorne RiverTongass National Forest72,983
TwelvemileTongass National Forest37,940
Twenty MileChugach National Forest198,775
West WrangellTongass National Forest10,291
Windham-Port HoughtonTongass National Forest161,952
Yakutat ForelandsTongass National Forest323,648
California (9)
AreaForestAcres
GriderKlamath National Forest10,647
Little French CShasta-Trinity National Forest11,529
Orleans Mtn.Klamath National Forest49,090
Orleans Mtn. CSix Rivers National Forest15,589
PattisonShasta-Trinity National Forest29,299
Pilot CreekSix Rivers National Forest9,192
RussianKlamath National Forest21,771
SiskiyouKlamath National Forest54,039
SnoozerKlamath National Forest23,414
Georgia (1)
AreaForestAcres
Lance CreekChattahoochee National Forest9,025
Idaho (7)
AreaForestAcres
Bighorn - WeitasNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest254,845
HoodooNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest153,868
NeedlesPayette National Forest131,279
North Lochsa SlopeNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest117,662
Peace RockBoise National Forest191,734
SeceshPayette National Forest248,088
West Meadow CreekNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest115,949
Maine (1)
AreaForestAcres
Caribou - Speckled ExtWhite Mountain National Forest5,988
Montana (55)
AreaForestAcres
Allan Mountain (01946)Bitterroot National Forest104,184
Allen Peak #185Kootenai National Forest29,638
Anaconda HillHelena National Forest18,546
Barren Creek #183Kootenai National Forest14,534
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanHelena National Forest51,360
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLolo National Forest118,485
Benchmark Ra 1126Flathead National Forest6,318
Big BaldyLewis and Clark National Forest43,135
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
BridgerGallatin National Forest45,059
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest50,326
Chippewa #682Kootenai National Forest1,262
Coal Ridge Ra 1127Flathead National Forest15,429
Crazy MountainGallatin National Forest82,093
Deadhorse Ridge Ra 1128Flathead National Forest23,648
East PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest145,082
Electric PeakHelena National Forest27,872
Evans GulchLolo National Forest8,059
Gallatin FringeGallatin National Forest51,571
Gold Hill West #176Kootenai National Forest15,079
Grassy MountainHelena National Forest6,740
HoodooLolo National Forest105,162
Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study AreaGallatin National Forest143,991
Jerico MountainHelena National Forest8,445
Lazyman GulchHelena National Forest11,614
Lincoln GulchHelena National Forest8,250
Lolo CreekLolo National Forest14,335
Marble PointLolo National Forest12,581
Mckay Creek #676Kootenai National Forest15,323
Meadow Creek - Upper North ForkLolo National Forest6,906
Middle Fork Judith WsaLewis and Clark National Forest81,131
Mt. BaldyHelena National Forest16,362
Mt. Henry #666Kootenai National Forest13,603
North Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest52,227
RattlesnakeLolo National Forest2,881
Reservation DivideLolo National Forest16,908
Rock CreekKootenai National Forest806
SapphireBitterroot National Forest43,303
SapphiresBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest66,619
Scotchman Peaks (MT)Kootenai National Forest53,909
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Sheep Mountain - StatelineLolo National Forest37,844
Silver KingBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest64,289
Stony MountainBitterroot National Forest44,057
Storm LakeBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest9,324
Ten Lakes #683Kootenai National Forest48,545
Thompson Seton RA 1483Flathead National Forest52,235
Tuchuck #664Kootenai National Forest2,239
Tuchuck Ra 1482Flathead National Forest17,730
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
West PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest248,631
Willard Estelle #173Kootenai National Forest3,714
Wonderful PeakLolo National Forest1,313
New Hampshire (14)
AreaForestAcres
Carr MountainWhite Mountain National Forest17,110
Cherry MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,766
Dartmouth RangeWhite Mountain National Forest9,233
Great Gulf Ext.White Mountain National Forest15,110
JobildunkWhite Mountain National Forest3,660
KearsargeWhite Mountain National Forest4,554
KilkennyWhite Mountain National Forest28,766
Kinsman MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,999
Mt. Wolf - Gordon PondWhite Mountain National Forest11,846
PemigewassetWhite Mountain National Forest32,255
Pemigewasset ExtWhite Mountain National Forest15,840
Presidential - Dry River ExtWhite Mountain National Forest10,555
Sandwich RangeWhite Mountain National Forest16,797
Wild RiverWhite Mountain National Forest46,878
North Carolina (17)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainPisgah National Forest11,085
Balsam ConePisgah National Forest10,591
BearwallowPisgah National Forest4,113
Cheoah BaldNantahala National Forest7,795
Chunky Gal (addition)Nantahala National Forest3,336
Craggy MountainPisgah National Forest2,657
Graveyard Ridge (addition)Pisgah National Forest1,958
Harper CreekPisgah National Forest7,325
Jarrett CreekPisgah National Forest7,485
Laurel MountainPisgah National Forest5,683
Linville Gorge AdditionPisgah National Forest2,809
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Mackey MountainPisgah National Forest5,934
Sam Knob (addition)Pisgah National Forest2,576
SnowbirdNantahala National Forest8,489
South Mills RiverPisgah National Forest8,588
Wilson CreekPisgah National Forest4,863
Oregon (41)
AreaForestAcres
Badger CreekMt. Hood National Forest847
BearwallowsDeschutes National Forest7,317
Bend WatershedDeschutes National Forest14,829
Boulder ParkWallowa-Whitman National Forest12,141
Bull Of The WoodsMt. Hood National Forest8,843
Calf - Copeland CreekUmpqua National Forest15,696
Charlton ButteWillamette National Forest3,031
Cook RidgeWallowa-Whitman National Forest19,617
Echo MountainWillamette National Forest8,098
ElkhornWillamette National Forest9,380
FairviewUmpqua National Forest7,417
Fish Creek AppendageUmpqua National Forest1,377
French Pete (a)Willamette National Forest1,668
Gordon MeadowsWillamette National Forest9,463
Greenhorn Mtn.Umatilla National Forest11,191
Jaussaud CorralUmatilla National Forest5,535
LakeMt. Hood National Forest1,327
LarchMt. Hood National Forest12,961
LastUmpqua National Forest7,666
Little SheepWallowa-Whitman National Forest5,238
LookingglassUmatilla National Forest4,859
Maiden PeakDeschutes National Forest26,432
Maiden PeakWillamette National Forest9,627
Mill Creek Watershed (OR)Umatilla National Forest7,820
Mt. JeffersonDeschutes National Forest2,282
Mt. Hood AdditionsMt. Hood National Forest13,061
North Mt. EmilyUmatilla National Forest4,416
OlallieMt. Hood National Forest7,607
Opal CreekWillamette National Forest5,417
ReservoirWallowa-Whitman National Forest13,641
Salmon - HuckleberryMt. Hood National Forest17,570
SherwoodUmpqua National Forest2,449
Twin LakesMt. Hood National Forest6,055
Twin MountainWallowa-Whitman National Forest58,533
Upper Catherine CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest6,446
Upper Grande RondeWallowa-Whitman National Forest11,723
Waldo - FujiWillamette National Forest15,273
Waldo - LakeWillamette National Forest2,993
Walla Walla RiverUmatilla National Forest34,416
West - South BachelorDeschutes National Forest25,994
Wind CreekMt. Hood National Forest5,438
Pennsylvania (1)
AreaForestAcres
Tracy RidgeAllegheny National Forest9,034
Tennessee (5)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainCherokee National Forest11,743
Beaver Dam CreekCherokee National Forest5,070
Flint Mill GapCherokee National Forest9,494
Rogers RidgeCherokee National Forest4,738
Stone MountainCherokee National Forest5,367
Vermont (6)
AreaForestAcres
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Devil's Den 09083Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests9,169
Griffith Lake 09084Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,833
Lye Brook Addition 09085Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,111
Wilder Mountain 09082Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests8,759
Woodford 09086Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests2,456
Virginia (16)
AreaForestAcres
Adams PeakGeorge Washington National Forest7,135
Elliott KnobGeorge Washington National Forest9,380
Kelley MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,590
Laurel ForkGeorge Washington National Forest9,967
Lewis Fork AdditionJefferson National Forest749
Little RiverGeorge Washington National Forest27,292
Little Wilson Creek Addition BJefferson National Forest1,725
Mountain Lake Addition B (VA)Jefferson National Forest3,405
Mt. PleasantGeorge Washington National Forest8,933
Northern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest9,444
Oak KnobGeorge Washington National Forest10,882
Ramseys Draft AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest12,781
Rogers RunJefferson National Forest181
Saint Marys AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest1,454
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
The PriestGeorge Washington National Forest5,737
Washington (45)
AreaForestAcres
Alpine Lakes Adj.Wenatchee National Forest57,104
Blue SlideWenatchee National Forest17,505
Boulder RiverMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest32,563
BourbonGifford Pinchot National Forest4,512
ChelanWenatchee National Forest74,650
Dark DivideGifford Pinchot National Forest52,483
Dixon MountainGifford Pinchot National Forest6,339
Eagle RockMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest34,064
Glacier Peak BMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest19,328
Glacier Peak JMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest26,482
Glacier Peak KMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest47,269
Glacier Peak LMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest14,084
Goat Rocks AdjWenatchee National Forest6,108
Gotchen CreekGifford Pinchot National Forest7,518
Grassy TopIdaho Panhandle National Forests13,485
Heather LakeWenatchee National Forest10,628
HorseshoeGifford Pinchot National Forest7,579
Jefferson RidgeOlympic National Forest6,512
Jupiter RidgeOlympic National Forest10,148
Liberty BellOkanogan National Forest108,495
LightningOlympic National Forest7,179
Long SwampOkanogan National Forest66,344
Mill Creek Watershed (WA)Umatilla National Forest16,747
Mt. Baker MaMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest24,847
Mt. Baker Noisy - DiobsudMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest56,039
Mt. Baker NorthMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest16,873
Mt. Baker WestMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest25,390
Mt. ZionOlympic National Forest3,544
Nason RidgeWenatchee National Forest19,329
Norse PeakWenatchee National Forest10,169
Pasayten RimOkanogan National Forest17,074
PressentinMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest14,545
QuilceneOlympic National Forest18,656
Red LakeGifford Pinchot National Forest2,162
Rock CreekWenatchee National Forest32,239
SawtoothOkanogan National Forest122,194
Silver StarGifford Pinchot National Forest7,779
South QuinaultOlympic National Forest11,081
TaneumWenatchee National Forest26,140
TeanawayWenatchee National Forest72,849
Thorp Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest22,717
Upper SkokomishOlympic National Forest9,311
Upper TucannonUmatilla National Forest12,485
West AdamsGifford Pinchot National Forest2,238
White PassGifford Pinchot National Forest1,145
West Virginia (18)
AreaForestAcres
Cranberry AdditionMonongahela National Forest11,123
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Dolly Sods Roaring PlainMonongahela National Forest13,392
Dry ForkMonongahela National Forest657
East Fork Of GreenbrierMonongahela National Forest7,167
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Gauley MountainMonongahela National Forest13,285
Glady ForkMonongahela National Forest3,239
Laurel ForkMonongahela National Forest1,172
Little MountainMonongahela National Forest8,172
Marlin MountainMonongahela National Forest9,344
Mcgowan MountainMonongahela National Forest10,504
Middle MountainMonongahela National Forest19,020
Mountain Lake Addition B (WV)Jefferson National Forest557
North Mountain HopevilleMonongahela National Forest6,525
Seneca CreekMonongahela National Forest22,287
Tea Creek MountainMonongahela National Forest8,295
Turkey MountainMonongahela National Forest6,421
References (7)
  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2002a. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 26. Magnoliophyta: Liliidae: Liliales and Orchidales. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxvi + 723 pp.
  2. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2024. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2024).
  3. iNaturalist. 2024. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2024).
  4. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  5. Kartesz, J.T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: Kartesz, J.T., and C.A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, N.C.
  6. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2024. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2024).
  7. Weakley, A.S., and Southeastern Flora Team. 2025. Flora of the southeastern United States Web App. Edition of February 18, 2025. University of North Carolina Herbarium (NCU), North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Online. Available: https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu (accessed 2025).