Evergreen shortly rhizomatous plant. Leaves coriaceous, palmatisect, frequently light violet. Shoots bear 2-4 nodding reddish flowers. Petal-like sepals (perianth) dark-red, nectary glands (modified petals) funnel-shaped. V - new leaves develop April, a second generation in autumn. Fl - April-May. Fr - July. P - by division of rhizome and by seed, sown fresh in autumn or the next year after stratification. Mature plants dislike transplanting. Winter-resistant in St. Petersburg, sometimes suffers during spring frost. A semishaded site with moist soil is preferable. Recommended for solitary or group planting. Z 6 (5, 4).

Caucasus (southwestern regions). On forest margins.

There are many forms of H. abchasicus in nature which differ in the colour of the flowers. They include:

• var. albo-virens Kolak.
• var. atropurpureus Kolak.
• var. flavo-virens Kolak.
• var. guttatus (A. Braun) Woronow
• var. nervosus Kolak.
• var. roseus Kolak.
• var. roseo-punctata Kolak.
• var. roseo-virens Kolak.
• var. sanguineus Kolak.
• var. zebrina Kolak.

All the forms occur mostly in the western Transaucasus (Abkhazia). Suitable for regions in zone 6 (5).

Lower Taxa

• Helleborus abchasicus var. albo-virens Kolak.
• Helleborus abchasicus var. atropurpureus Kolak.
• Helleborus abchasicus var. flavo-virens Kolak.
• Helleborus abchasicus var. guttatus (A. Braun) Woronow
• Helleborus abchasicus var. nervosus Kolak.
• Helleborus abchasicus var. roseo-punctata Kolak.
• Helleborus abchasicus var. roseo-virens Kolak.
• Helleborus abchasicus var. roseus Kolak.
• Helleborus abchasicus var. sanguineus Kolak.
• Helleborus abchasicus var. zebrina Kolak.