Hellebore

Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 23 March 2008 in Plants & Nature and Portfolio.

Hellebores are valued by gardeners for their winter and early spring flowering period; the plants are surprisingly frost-resistant and many are evergreen.

In the past, they were used for medicinal purposes. Black hellebore was used by the ancients in paralysis, gout and other diseases, more particularly in insanity. The plant is also associated with witchcraft, probably because many Hellebores are poisonous. Some historians believe that Alexander the Great died because of a hellebore overdose, when he took it as medication.

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Comments (35)

Dara from Irvine, United States

very nice and colorful macro

23 Mar 2008 12:08am

@Dara: Thank you, Dara.

givethemhell from Germany

What a lovely Black Hellebore. Actually it is red, isn't it? I have a white one in my garden. But this year it did not blossom.

23 Mar 2008 1:20am

@givethemhell: Thank you, Eva. We were lucky with this one. Our black one hasn't opened yet either.

Rhys from Darlington, United Kingdom

great close-up, the diffused filter adds to the ambience and effect of the study.

23 Mar 2008 2:06am

@Rhys: Thank you, Rhys. A nice analysis.

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Wow, these are Divine, albeit the double-edge sword ;)

23 Mar 2008 2:16am

@Lorraine: Very much so. A great comment. Thank you, Lorraine.

Ina from Krugersdorp, South Africa

Wow, what an awesome color! The details are great, like the soft focus on the edges, well done :)

23 Mar 2008 3:06am

@Ina: Thanks so much, Ina.

vu@granby - gilles daigneault from Granby, Québec, Canada

Everything is perfect here,
bravo Michael!

gilles d.

23 Mar 2008 3:46am

@vu@granby - gilles daigneault: Thank you, Gilles. That's a great compliment.

Ron from Saint Louis, United States

A beautifully composed and captured image, Michael. A favorite of mine in the early garden. Thank you for sharing it.

23 Mar 2008 5:05am

@Ron: Thank you, Ron. And a great favorite of mine as well.

Betty from New Jersey, United States

A beautiful flower, and a wonderful composition! Excellent detail.

23 Mar 2008 5:15am

@Betty: Thank you so much, Betty.

Porcsin from Debrecen, Hungary

Superb afterwork with this image!
Great and energetic colours!

23 Mar 2008 5:26am

@Porcsin: Thank you, Porcsin.

GJC from Kyoto, Japan

Wonderful rich color here. I like the soft effect here as well.

23 Mar 2008 5:38am

@GJC: Thank you, GJC.

Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France

Jolie photo pleine de douceur, et nous en avons besoin...

23 Mar 2008 5:46am

@Evelyne Dubos: Merci beaucoup, Evelyn.

Teresa Durães from Portugal

good detail, great photo

23 Mar 2008 6:29am

@Teresa Durães: Thank you, Teresa.

Peter Miller from Lichfield, United Kingdom

You have created a very nice dreamy look with this image, well done

23 Mar 2008 6:38am

@Peter Miller: Thank you, Peter. I appreciate that.

Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan

The is a SMASHING shot!!!Excellent processing! I love it!!!!

23 Mar 2008 6:57am

@Japanalia: Thank you, Gabriela. Hellebores are Marta's favorite flower of the moment.

Photonscribbles from Pune, India

hellebore!!
i feel enlightened..thanks for tht info with tht beautiful capture.

Its amazing how any flower looks so unbelievably awesome :)

23 Mar 2008 7:28am

@Photonscribbles: That's such a great comment. thank you.

MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany

Just beautiful! From your garden?

23 Mar 2008 8:02am

@MadScientist: Many thanks, Ms. Yes, from our garden. My wife is a great fan of hellebores.

Craig from Vacaville, California, United States

Gorgeous work here!

23 Mar 2008 8:29am

@Craig: Many thanks, Craig.

capture it, share it! from Turkey

No comment! Really perfect

23 Mar 2008 8:50am

@capture it, share it!: Thank you so much.

Johanne Prescott from Granby,Québec, Canada

Wow, is soo beautiful!! Congratulation!

23 Mar 2008 8:51am

@Johanne Prescott: Many thanks for visiting my blog.

dpm from Maalé, Maldives

that is a deadly beauty i guess or part of it,cool selective focus

23 Mar 2008 9:20am

@dpm: Thank you, dpm.

alex centrella from Califronia, United States

beautiful colors and detail work..

23 Mar 2008 9:40am

@alex centrella: Many thanks, Alex.

Photographs by M.E. from Encino, United States

deep colors and soft glow - wonderful combination, Michael!

23 Mar 2008 10:46am

@Photographs by M.E.: Thank you, M.E.

Jrask from Pasadena, United States

Really great shot Michael, the soft edges set it apart from many other flower pictures

23 Mar 2008 11:01am

@Jrask: Thank you, Joshua. Always best to try something a little different.

amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada

Love the added touch of the blur.. Excellent Michael!

23 Mar 2008 12:11pm

@amy: Thank you, Amy.

Anne from White Rock, Canada

Absolutely lovely! The soft filtered effect and shallow depth of field really make this flower outstanding! :-)

23 Mar 2008 12:34pm

@Anne: Thank you, Anne. That's a great comment.

e. from New York, NY, United States

Incredible soft capture! :)

23 Mar 2008 1:24pm

@e.: Thank you, e.

standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France

This is somptous. I love the colour!

23 Mar 2008 1:28pm

@standley: Thank you so much, Standley.

MJ from Delaware, United States

beautiful flower and beautiful capture...

23 Mar 2008 1:55pm

@MJ: Many thanks, MJ.

Eduarda from Povoa de Santa Iria, Portugal

Very nice.

23 Mar 2008 5:04pm

@Eduarda: Thank you, Eduarda.

Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom

Beautiful presentation and an interesting commentary there. Must check the medicine cabinet!

23 Mar 2008 5:40pm

@Ronnie 2¢: Thanks, Ronnie. You wouldn't want to take any Hellebore by mistake.

tyan from Singapore, Singapore

wow,i rarely see medicinal plants that are so aesthetically pleasing to the eye as well:)Lovely image,love the soft edges!

23 Mar 2008 9:37pm

@tyan: Thank you, Tyan. That's a great comment.

Carraol from Mexico City, Mexico

Beautiful and dangerous flower, it looks so pure!

23 Mar 2008 10:32pm

@Carraol: Thank you so much, Carraol.

pLusOne from Cheonan, South Korea

Beautiful shot with the dof.

23 Mar 2008 11:13pm

@pLusOne: Many thanks, P1.

Illuci from Hurdegaryp, Netherlands

Splendid soft foces application, very romantic!

25 Mar 2008 6:31am

@Illuci: Thank you, Erik.

alla from Toronto, Canada

amazing flowers shots, i miss summer:)

26 Mar 2008 1:58pm

@alla: Thank you, Alla.

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