Seasonal Wild Flowers

Winter Aconite

Eranthis hyemalis

Ranunculaceae

January to March

It is scattered throughout the country but is mainly in the

South Midlands, the Southeast and the East.

See the BSBI distribution map for Winter Aconite

It is a neophyte which was introduced in the late 1500s

and has been known in the wild since the 1830s.

It is widely planted in gardens and parks, but also

naturalised when it can form extensive patches in

woods, grass, parkland and open areas.

Winter Aconite is a perennial herb with a tuberous rhizome,

growing up to 15cm.

The flowers are up to 3cm across with 5 bright yellow

petals.

There are approximately 30 yellow stamens and between

5 and 9 stalked nectaries (shorter than the stamens).

The flowers have a distinctive frill of green bracts, which

die back in summer.

Leaves are dark green, unstalked (sessile), with 3 divided

palmate lobes.

Patch of Winter Aconite

Single flower

Styles (central), stamens and nectaries

Yellow stamens and (shorter) stalked nectaries

Unopened flowers with bracts

Leaves - 3 palmate, divided lobes

Seed head