Veratrum fimbriatum
Fringed false-hellebore, Fringed False-Hellebore
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Melanthiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Veratrum fimbriatum (Fringed false-hellebore) is a native California herb in the Melanthiaceae family, recognized by distinctive fringed petals.
Fringed false-hellebore is a California native perennial found in central coastal Northern California, including Mendocino and Sonoma counties, in wet meadows within coastal scrub habitats at elevations near 100 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces distinctive white flowers 6 to 10 millimeters long with deeply fringed perianth parts and yellow elliptic glands. Growing with tall stems 15 to 50 centimeters high that are tomentose with spreading branches, it develops a robust presence in its coastal habitat. Its lower leaves are large and lanceolate, extending 20 to 50 centimeters and appearing glabrous or only sparsely hairy. The fruit is obovoid, approximately 8 millimeters long, with seeds about 6 millimeters in size and slightly margined.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinctive fringed petals are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows in coastal scrub
Elevation: < +- 100 m
California counties: Mendocino, Sonoma, San Diego
Bloom period
Veratrum fimbriatum blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Epipactis: Veratrum has large pleated leaves and branching flower clusters; Epipactis has smaller smooth leaves and orchid-type flowers in one spike.; vs Maianthemum: Veratrum is 3-6 feet tall with large pleated leaves; Maianthemum is under 2 feet with smooth heart-shaped leaves.; vs Toxicoscordion: Veratrum has large pleated leaves arranged up a tall stem; Toxicoscordion has narrow grass-like basal leaves.; vs Stachys: Veratrum has large pleated alternate leaves; Stachys has smaller opposite leaves and square stems.; vs Symplocarpus: Veratrum has pleated leaves up a tall stem; Symplocarpus has large basal leaves and a hooded flower spike.
Frequently asked questions
Is Veratrum fimbriatum native to California?
Yes. Veratrum fimbriatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Veratrum fimbriatum bloom?
Veratrum fimbriatum blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Veratrum fimbriatum grow?
Veratrum fimbriatum occurs in Mendocino, Sonoma, San Diego, at elevations of < +- 100 m.
What plant family does Veratrum fimbriatum belong to?
Veratrum fimbriatum is in the Melanthiaceae family, genus Veratrum.
Is Veratrum fimbriatum rare or endangered?
Veratrum fimbriatum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.