Wildflowers Found in Oregon

Corn Lily (Indian Hellebore, Green False Hellebore,
California Corn Lily, California False Hellebore)

Veratrum californicum (Veratrum viride) - We have a number of these growing in our pasture. They are deadly poison, to eat even a small portion will result in unconsciousness and then death. "However, John Hopkins School of Medicine have been doing trials on a compound "cyclopamine" which comes from Corn Lily. They have had promising results particularly in regards to certain skin cancer and brain tumours. The Corn Lily might be one day fighting the good fight. If it is the same plant. Apparently the researchers have had difficulty obtaining samples of it (so I have been told)." From Robert of Toowoomba, Australia. A pharmaceutical company from Idaho called about our corn lily. They were pleased to find them growing this far west. In 2006 we discovered at least 6 of these growing in our pasture. Another lady called to get us to send her plants of the corn lily and said she had had excellent results in treating eczema in her sister.