Veratrum album, commonly known as white hellebore or European white hellebore, is a herbaceous perennial native to moist, grassy slopes, and alpine meadows in Europe and western Asia. It typically grows 20-69 inches tall with a spread of 12-24 inches. The plant has a distinctive appearance with broad, pleated leaves and erect racemes of star-shaped white flowers marked with green, blooming in mid to late summer. The flowers are not particularly showy but have a unique architectural quality. White hellebore is known for its toxicity, with all parts of the plant containing poisonous alkaloids.

White hellebore is valued for its striking foliage and structural form, making it a conversation piece in a garden setting. It is often used in border plantings or as a feature in woodland gardens. It requires consistently moist soil, partial shade to full shade, and cool temperatures to thrive. While it is low maintenance, care should be taken to handle the plant with gloves due to its toxicity. It is resistant to deer and other grazing animals due to its unpalatable nature. However, it can be potentially invasive in some regions, so it is important to check local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0