Hollowroot

Fun Facts

• The seeds are spread by ants, which drag them into their burrow and eat the oil body of the seeds. Afterwards, the seeds are removed from the burrow again and can germinate if conditions are favourable.

• It is a spring-flowering plant whose above-ground parts wither early and are no longer present in summer. This behaviour is an adaptation of the plant to the heat and light regime of the deciduous forest.

• Usually violet and white-flowered plants occur side by side. In the violet-flowered forms, the flowers are often rotated by 90°. They are therefore known as "intelligent flowers", in which only pollinators with a capacity for learning are able to find and open the unusual entrance to the flower.

• The leaves are an important food source for the caterpillars of the endangered clouded Apollo butterfly.

• The flowering period is from March to May.

• It lives for several years and generally flowers and fruits annually (perennial plant).

• Endangerment level Germany: not endangered

• The hollowroot is native to Central Europe. It occurs throughout Germany, but is rare in the north-west.

• The species name cava is derived from the Latin word cavus for hollow and, as the common name hollowroot, refers to the hollow root tubers.

• The tubers in particular contain poisonous alkaloids that cause seizures.