Hellebore Hike – aka Maresana Hike Again!

   

[Ranunculaceae] Helleborus niger - seen near Maresana Hill in Bergamo, Italy

We had a guest visiting us and thought a hike to Maresana and betyond for lunch at Trattoria del Moro would be nice. (And it was.)

On the way up on trail 553 (from Quintino Alto), we saw white flowers poking out in the brown leaf litter. Hellebores! We are always surprised to see the Helleborus niger in bloom in the downtime of January. This plant is also called Christmas rose or black hellebore. It is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae.

In the wild, H. niger subsp. niger is generally found in mountainous areas in Switzerland, southern Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and northern Italy. Helleborus niger subsp. macranthus is found only in northern Italy and possibly adjoining parts of Slovenia. Honestly, we don't know which subspecies we are seeing. It's likely niger.

According to the Schede di botanica, the plants pictured here are a little early in blooming. We should be seeing some snow in these hills and it's been unusually dry.

   
[Ranunculaceae] Helleborus niger - seen near Maresana Hill in Bergamo, Italy

  
[Ranunculaceae] Helleborus niger - seen near Maresana Hill in Bergamo, Italy

   
Hiking on Maresana Hill in Bergamo, Italy followed by lunch dishes Trattoria del Moro (Ponteranica).