Species Focus - Winter Heliotrope (Petasites fragrans)
At this time of year, a distinctive non-native plant erupts from the ground with large kidney-shaped leaves and mauve flowers. This is Winter Heliotrope, spreading by thick, brittle underground rhizomes to form dense stands about 30 cm high.
© Scott Saunders
It is native to southern Europe and north Africa but does well on road verges here in Wales. If it grows in your garden, you’ll be all too familiar with it!
We have very few Anglesey records of Winter Heliotrope in our database. The local County Recorder is also keen for records because of its rapid spread in the county. He would like to monitor where this is happening as it is threatening some plant rich verges.
Further information on this species can be found here. If you see any Winter Heliotrope in North Wales please submit your records, preferably with photographs, to the LERC Wales App or the Cofnod ORS.
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