Distribution of the species
The hellebore is a Balkan endemic, common to the Greek flora that is found in forests and shrublands, in open, shaded, stony places mainly in the mountainous zone (700-1,500 m asl.). It is generally characterized as a common species in Paggaio, which can be found on every mountaineering trip.
Description of the species (biological and ecological features)
Perennial herbaceous plant, up to 50 cm tall, with strong, dark rhizome, located deep in the soil. It flowers in early spring (March-April), before or simultaneously with the development of the base leaves. The leaves are compound, palm-shaped, with 7-9 lanceolate leaflets, bright green, on a long stem. The leaves of the stem are torn like a palm, from their armpit grow large, yellow-green flowers that lean down and have numerous stamens. According to mythology, the soothsayer Melampodas, a priest of Apollo, gave during the Dionysian feasts milk from goats that had eaten hellebore to drunk women as a treatment. Poisonous plant, also used for medicinal purposes. Use of the plant in large quantities causes vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the digestive organs, paralysis and eventually death. It blackens or destroys teeth. Folk tradition attributes magical properties to the plant. One of these traditions is that its root can dry a tree when placed between the bark and the wood. According to another tradition, during wars, animal owners, in order to avoid the requisition of mules, fed them with a minimal amount of the plant causing short-term health problems to the animal. The plant is also called “agleura”, which is associated with the well-known phrase “he ate agleura”, implying the maximum exaggeration in food consumption. The expression is believed to have arisen due to the relative discomfort caused by overeating, similar to that caused by eating the plant.
Due to its relatively wide distribution on Mount Paggaio, no particular threats and pressures were observed or reported, which could lead to a significant reduction in its population.
Conservation status
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Conservation state
It is not subjected to any national or international conservation status.