Winter Heliotrope Petasites fragrans in flower, Tickenhill, Bewdley 4 Jan 2024.

Only male flowers are found in the UK and so it spreads vegetatively. It flowers from November through the winter to February and can often be seen in large patches along road verges.

Originally native to parts of Europe and western Asia, winter heliotrope has naturalized in various other regions around the world, including North America and Australia, where it is often found in disturbed habitats such as roadsides, riverbanks, and forest edges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Heliotrope – Petasites fragrans

Photo by: Rosemary Winnall