Hi, members: Earlier, Jane wrote of wondering why Veratrum was a "false" hellebore, when it didn't resemble Helleborus. While looking for something else, I happened to access the following: http://www.larkspurbooks.com/Lily5.html "False Hellebore, Corn Lily, Veratrum californicum: The word "hellebore" is from the Greek elleboros. The scientific name is from the Latin "veratrum," both terms were used in antiquity for poisonous plants. Later, those in the Lilly family were given the Latin name veratrum; and those in the Buttercup family the Greek name, helleborus. Thus, "true" hellebores are members of the Buttercup Family . The "false" hellebores are Liliaceae. All are poisonous, although they do have therapeutic value—Helleborus species contain cardiac glycosides and Veratrum viride was, until recently, used to treat hypertension." This all sounds reasonable, so until someone wiser than I proposes a better answer, I'll accept this. Ken PS Lily family, not Lilly.