- Author: Launa Herrmann
I find hellebores fascinating. These members of the Ranunculacea family, often called “Lenten rose” or “Christmas rose” present such unusual shaped leaves and delicate bell-shaped flowers.
But what recently caught my attention about the plant was a post in the New Zealand Herald. See http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11184474 This article begged the question: Did a plant with tiny white flowers actually topple the Macedonian leader of one of the largest empires that ever existed? A toxicologist at New Zealand's National Poisons Center certainly thinks so.
Here's why: For over 2000 years scholars investigating the death of Alexander the Great have searched for the cause. Some thought the 32-year-old died of natural causes while others theorized he was murdered — poisoned by strychnine or arsenic, which are effective immediately. Even poisoning by hemlock, autumn crocus, wormwood or henbane was considered, except for the fact that Alexander's death was a slow torturous process lasting 12 days.
So what horticultural culprit is suspected of doing the slow torturous deed? Veratrum album, also known as white hellebore.
Dr. Leo Schep (the toxicologist mentioned above) and Dr. Pat Wheatley (a classics expert at Otago University, NZ) concluded in their published article in the medical journal, Clinical Toxicology, that this harmless looking plant, used to cure vomiting, was fermented into wine and given to Alexander during a banquet. They theorize its bitter taste was sweetened by mixing with other wine.
Whether the Greek king was purposely poisoned or merely imbibed a toxic brew remains open to debate. One thing for sure, I just found another reason to find hellebores fascinating.
To learn more about the white hellebore and view a photo of the Veratrum Album, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veratrum_album