Helleborus hybrid

Known as Christmas rose, Winter rose or Lenten Rose, it is nonetheless not a rose, and unlike the rose, poisonous. Historically it was used as a purgative, as an abortion drug and as emmenagogue. So pretty nasty! It is a member of the Ranunculaceae or Buttercup family

It is the second in my spring flower series after snowdrops, although to be fair it showed its face first. Tomorrow I believe the first daffodil will have opened sufficiently to blip. I am not a fan of winter darkness so these floral faces really cheer me.