Relating to or belonging to the hellebore plant family (Ranunculaceae).
From 'hellébore' (from Greek helléboros) plus the suffix '-aceous' (Latin -aceus, meaning 'of the nature of'). The botanical term preserves the ancient name for these toxic flowering plants.
The hellebore family includes Christmas roses, buttercups, and some of the most poisonous plants in Europe—all connected by one medieval word for 'plant that causes madness,' showing how diverse one plant family can be!
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