California False Hellebore
Veratrum californicum
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
JerryFriedman
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Melanthiaceae
- Genus:
- Veratrum
- Species:
- Veratrum californicum
- USDA Symbol:
- VECA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white, green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Smith's Dart (Xestia smithii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers habitats like meadows and streambanks
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–180 days
- Notes:
- Germination can be slow and erratic. Seeds require cold-moist stratification and may take multiple seasons to emerge.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold moist stratification for 91 days.
Establishment: V. californicum is found from western Washington to southern California and east to Idaho and Montana south through the Rocky mountains to Mexico.
Source: npn.rngr.net