Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)

Where?

Butterbur requires seepage-wet or partially flooded, nutrient-rich soils and therefore often grows along stream and river banks.

Appearance?

Butterbur is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches growth heights between 10 and 40 cm, and up to 120 cm at fruiting time. It grows from a brownish rhizome about 4 cm thick. The leaf stalk growing from it is hollow inside and shows distinct ridges and can reach diameters of up to 60 cm, growing only after the flowering period. The flowers grow on a separate, reddish stem, appear between March and May and grow as a densely standing reddish-white to red-purple inflorescence.

Special features?

The plant was and is used as a medicinal plant after controlled processing, but is toxic to humans in its natural state.