Petasites Hybridus, Butterbur



Common name:
Butterbur
Scientific name:
Petasites hybridus
Main flower color:
Range:
Most areas of the British Isles; absent from northern Scotland
Height:
Up to 50 cm
Habitat:
Streambanks, damp grassland, wet woodland
Flowers:
Flowerheads are clustered at the top of the stout, fibrous, unbranched stem, lined by a few green or pinkish bracts. Plants are dioecious; male flowerheads have five spreading lobes around an exserted stamen, while female flowerheads (about half as wide; up to 6 mm), a ring of many while stigmas, topped by divided styles. Female flowerheads are much less common
Leaves:
Heart-shaped, irregularly toothed, up to 60 cm across; appearing after the flowers
Season:
March to May
Rarity:
★★★★★