Is this White Butterbur ?

Lancashire Lad · #1 (**permalink**) 21-02-2009, 12:08 PM

Photographed yesterday, in central Lancashire, on a damp banking, in predominantly beech/birch woodland. (A chance find whilst out fungi hunting).

I initially thought it was Winter Heliotrope (which I have not yet found), but on returning home and checking my ID books, the flower colour and general look of the plant doesn't seem to fit Winter Heliotrope ID's.

It does however, appear to match descriptions for White Butterbur - Petasites albus, although the whole plant was only about 12-15cm tall.

Any advice on ID will be much appreciated.

Regards
Mike.

Tiggrx · #2 (**permalink**) 21-02-2009, 12:59 PM

Yes, this is White Butterbur - nice find!

Lancashire Lad · #3 (**permalink**) 21-02-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

Yes, this is White Butterbur - nice find!

Cheers Tiggrx, there was just one small area of banking, with several of these plants showing.

Now that I know they are there, I will keep my eye on the area, because during summer, this place is just a complete mass of dense undergrowth.

Regards
Mike.

leifus · #4 (**permalink**) 21-02-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

Cheers Tiggrx, there was just one small area of banking, with several of these plants showing.

Now that I know they are there, I will keep my eye on the area, because during summer, this place is just a complete mass of dense undergrowth.

Regards
Mike.

yes this is white butterbur

I reeaaally want to find this!

KeenTeen17 · #5 (**permalink**) 21-02-2009, 06:41 PM

whereabouts in Lancashire Mike? I have records of it near Cartmel and have seen the giant butterbur at Chester Zoo but still have yet to see this.

Lancashire Lad · #6 (**permalink**) 21-02-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

whereabouts in Lancashire Mike? I have records of it near Cartmel and have seen the giant butterbur at Chester Zoo but still have yet to see this.

It seems that this might be a bit of a rarity in our neck of the woods. I'll send you a PM with details.

Regards
Mike.

KeenTeen17 · #7 (**permalink**) 22-02-2009, 11:17 AM

thanks Mike . I got your PM and am arranging to get up there ASAP.

Lancashire Lad · #8 (**permalink**) 22-02-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

thanks Mike . I got your PM and am arranging to get up there ASAP.

Glad to help - Post a pic when you've seen them. (I'm interested to see how much more the flowers might open).

Regards
Mike.

cairnton · #9 (**permalink**) 04-03-2009, 11:34 PM

I found this plant today whilst walking in Aberdeenshire - it was everywhere and I hadn't a clue what it was! Checked a couple of illustrated guides and eventually identified it - great to see a photograph as I know for sure that what I saw was White Butterbur