False Hellebore, Veratrum viride Ait., found clinging to a cliff near Artist's point, Mt. Baker, Washington.

(See poisonous plants)
False Hellebore shoots, look edible, but are toxic.  Look but don't touch.  Blackfoot ingested plant to commit suicide.

Medicine: Poultice of of bulb used to treat arthritis.  Bulb decoction taken for respiratory problems such as chronic cough (Bella Coola).  Raw root and decoction also considered an emetic.  Blackfoot dried and powdered root, then used it like snuff as an analgesic for headaches.  Snuffing powdered also induced sneezing.  Cowlitz poulticed leaves, used externally for pain.
Spanish Medicine: Veratrum album is a member of Liliaceae and the root is used as an analgesic, emetic, cathartic, antirrheumatic and sternutatory (induces, causes sneezing).

Root Used:  Dried and used as a powder to induce sneezing.  Also, prepared as a salve (oil or grease base as an analgesic.  And as an alcohol tincture for emesis, catharsis, antirrheumatic.   Used only under the supervision of a skilled holistic health care provider.  Potentially toxic.

Plants at left discovered in the Pyrenees near Nuria, Catalan at about 8000 feet.