European plant genus in the Ranunculaceae family; contains a protoanemonin glycoside hellebrin causing diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal pain, and cardiac glycosides which cause sudden death. Includes H. argutifolius (H. corsicus), H. foetidus (stinking hellebore, setterwort), H. niger (Christmas rose), H. orientalis, H. viridis (green hellebore).

Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.