False Hellebore - Veratrum viride

This plant has many colloquial names. But, whatever you may choose to call it, one thing is certain: you don't want to mess with it. False hellebore is highly toxic and contains steroidal alkaloids that can be very dangerous when eaten in large enough quantities. The roots and young shoots are particularly toxic.

This plant was used by some Native American tribes to elect a new leader. All the candidates would eat the root, and the last to start vomiting would become the new leader.

Habitat: Deciduous forest, near a stream