Helleborus lividus subsp. corsicus (Corsican hellebore)

Japanese name: ヘレボルス アーグチフォリウス
Scientific name: Helleborus lividus subsp. corsicus

[Overview]
An evergreen perennial 40–120 cm tall.
The leaves grow from the base and are divided into 3 lobes in a bird's-foot pattern; they are leathery and bright green, and the margins have spiny teeth resembling those of holly leaves.
The leaf stalks are long.
Many flowers are borne in cymes; what look like petals are the sepals, which are pale green.
The true petals have turned into small tubular nectaries that surround the many stamens in a ring.
The fruit is a follicle.
The whole plant is poisonous and is said to contain cardiac glycosides with a burning taste; care is needed because the sap can cause inflammation if it gets on the skin.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
A fertile, well-drained site that is sunny from autumn to spring and shaded in summer is suitable.
It grows from autumn to spring and becomes half dormant in the hot, humid season.
Overly wet conditions cause the roots to rot, so keep it slightly on the dry side throughout the year.
Water when the soil surface has dried, but during dormancy reduce watering to the extent that the soil does not become extremely dry.
Fertilize only from winter to spring, giving liquid fertilizer once every 10 days.
Care is needed because the leaves are damaged by frost and cold wind.
The stems grow tall, so it is good to set up a support to keep them from breaking.
Unless you want to collect seeds, pinch off the flowers at the neck after flowering so that the plant does not become exhausted.
In early winter, when new leaves emerge, cut off the old leaves at the base.
Pests and diseases include gray mold and black spot.

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