Appearance
''Veratrum album'' is a tall perennial herb with alternate, pleated leaves. The flowers are white, marked with green on the top portion of the stalk. The fruit is a small pod containing winged seeds. The stout, simple stems are 50–175 cm tall. The plants have an estimated lifespan of several centuries and often achieve dominance in wild areas as they are unpalatable to grazing herbivores.
Defense
In beverages, ''V. album'' has been mistaken for the harmless yellow gentian or wild garlic , resulting in poisoning. All parts of the plant are poisonous, including its aroma.Uses
Extracts from dried rhizomes of ''Veratrum album'' were briefly used as a pesticide against the Colorado potato beetle.Cultural
''Veratrum album'' is grown as an ornamental plant. In the UK It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.References:
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