Whats this

I found this growing in an area that was once a garden, but is now overgrown. Its in flower now and it has a strong scent, Its probably a bit invasive, but to flower in mid winter, it must be worth while.

 

Hi Pete Looks like Butterburr - Petasites vulgaris - See link for pic. (It's one of Roy Lancaster's fave natives) http://www.bwca.go-legend.net/flora/butterbur.jpg
More info here http://www.pfaf.org/database/search_name.php?ALLNAMES=Petasites

[ 15. January 2006, 05:26 PM: Message edited by: Bayleaf ]

 

Thanks Bayleaf, I think you could be right, but as with all these ID things the flowers dont look quie right, and also the flowering time and height. The scent is a bit like licorice.
But I know its no that.

 

Checked my wildflower book and nada - but that leaf is very similar to the hollyhock leaf - yet the flower is similar to water mint. Could it be a naturlised cultivar of one these two.

 

Apologies in advance for the amount of links in this post! It's certainly from the Petasites family, if it smells & is flowering now then its most likely to be Petasites fragrans = winter Heliotrope (found in Southern counties - & spreading, origin mediterranean)
Images here = http://www.aphotoflora.com/page32.html
rhs info here= http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0904/winter_heliotrope.asp
More images here -click on the underlined name to have a look http://www.bioimages.org.uk/HTML/T2843.HTM
Hollyhock leaf here http://www.aphotoflora.com/Alcea%20rosea-lf-22-07-05.jpg to compare with petasites leaf http://www.aphotoflora.com/Petasites%20fragrans01-07-04.jpg
:rolleyes: Sorry! its the anorak in me!

 

Thanks Bayleaf, I'll buy you a new anorak :D
I think thats it, pity that it sounds so invasive, because at this time of the year the scent is quite strong even on damp overcast days.
I'll have another look later in the year, if the builders haven't moved in, and see what its like then.

 

Brilliant Bayleaf - well named. I have never seen that before in my life, interesting plant.

 

Thanks from me too Bayleaf.

[ 17. January 2006, 06:45 PM: Message edited by: frogesque ]

 

Aw shucks, no probs guys - Thanks for the offer Pete, after the amount I ate at Christmas, may need a larger size

 

I'm supposed to be typing our self assessment tax forms, but that is so enthralling, I needed a break. 'Er Indoors returning from a comfort break pops a head over my shoulder, sees Petes photo and says "That doesn't look like tax."
"So what does it look like?" says I. "Petasites, and if it smells of licorice it'll be "fragrans"". Thats why I'm doing the typing and shes watching the telly. :(
Nik