Indian Poke, Indian Hellebore, False Green Hellebore, Corn lily
LILIACEAE, The Lily family
Always with interesting questions, some with simpler answers than others, Shiloh of the landscaping company Portland Yard Birds inquired about this plant, and a few others including some yews and Adam’s broom, Laburnocytisus adamii.
Native to Northwestern swamps and bogs, Indian poke has small green flowers and attractive broad leaves with prominent veins.
It is considered extremely poisonous, and has been used medicinally by Native Americans.
The photo was taken on October 1 near Tilly Jane camp on Cooper’s Spur on the North East side of Mt. Hood, at about 5,000 feet. The Veratrum grew along the mountain streams and roadsides, in wooded areas that must be seasonally moist. The plants were senescing, turning golden and flopping over.