Andorra: Stinking Hellebore Wildflowers

These somewhat strange flowers – Helleborus foetidus in Latin – from the Ranunculus family are common to the Pyrenees mountains and are usually the very first to pop through melting snow. They are almost entirely green – stems and flowers alike – and rather large and juicy for snow flowers. Despite its name, Helleborus foetidus doesn’t emit a strong odor unless its leaves or stems are crushed, releasing an earthy, slightly unpleasant scent. The plant is toxic if injected and may cause allergic reactions when touched. It’s usually the sole source of nectar for the first bees that appear in early spring.