Petasites fragrans
Asteraceae
From November to March.
However, it is highly dependent on the prevailing weather.
Sometimes it does not flower at all, particularly in the
North.
In the 2020/21 season I saw its first flowers on
November 5 in West Dorset.
It is found throughout the country, but is most
abundant in the South.
See the BSBI distribution map for Winter Heliotrope
It is a neophyte, which was introduced in the early
1800s and found in the wild by the 1830s.
It is grown as ground cover in gardens and churchyards.
The naturalised escape is well established besides,
paths, roads and streams and on banks and rough
open land.
It is on the increase, especially in the South.
Winter Heliotrope is non-native, perennial, rhizomatous,
invasive herb, growing up to 30cm.
Flower-heads are pale mauve (lilac) and in spikes.
In its native region Winter Heliotrope has both male
and female flower-heads, but in the UK it has only
male flowers.
Male flowers have protruding spikes made up of a tube
of stamens.
The outer ray florets are bigger than the inner disc
florets.
The flowers smell strongly of vanilla.
The leaves are large and round (up to 20cm).
Winter Heliotrope can be quite invasive and it
spreads rapidly on waste ground, banks and
beside roads.
Spread is via rhizomatous growth and fragmentation.
Previous page: Silk-tassel
Next page: Winter Honeysuckle
WinterHeliotrope, Netherbury, Dorset
Spike with flowerheads
Pink flowerhead
Side view of pink flowerhead
Open and closed male flowers in whitish flowerhead
Close up of male flowers with stamen-tubes
Leaves
Invading Winter Helitrope
Ground cover
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