Veratrum insolitum
Siskiyou false-hellebore
(c) Aaron Liston, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Melanthiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Veratrum insolitum (Siskiyou false-hellebore) is a native California herb in the Melanthiaceae family, recognized by woolly ovary and stamen length are key features.
Siskiyou false-hellebore is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in openings of mixed-evergreen forest on red clay at elevations above 900 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white to pale yellow flowers 6 to 9 millimeters long with widely ovate perianth parts that have irregularly fringed edges. Growing 20 to 50 centimeters tall with ascending branches covered in grayish woolly hair, it forms a distinctive clump with robust stems. Its lower leaves are elliptical, 10 to 23 centimeters long, with a notably hairy underside and leaf sheaths. The fruit develops as an oblong-ovoid structure 2 to 3 centimeters long, covered in woolly hair and containing widely winged seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; woolly ovary and stamen length are key features
Habitat and range
Habitat: Openings in thickets, mixed-evergreen forest on red clay
Elevation: > 900 m
California counties: Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, Siskiyou, Shasta, Sonoma
Outside California: to Washington
Bloom period
Veratrum insolitum blooms Jun-Aug.
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 insolitum native to California?
Yes. Veratrum insolitum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Veratrum insolitum bloom?
Veratrum insolitum blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Veratrum insolitum grow?
Veratrum insolitum occurs in Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, Siskiyou, Shasta, Sonoma, at elevations of > 900 m.
What plant family does Veratrum insolitum belong to?
Veratrum insolitum is in the Melanthiaceae family, genus Veratrum.
Is Veratrum insolitum rare or endangered?
Veratrum insolitum carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
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.