Latin name: Petasites hybridus
Other common names: Butterbur, butter dock, bog rhubarb, cleats, gallon, oxwort, poison rhubarb
How to spot it and where to find it: Growing in marshy or damp soil and shady conditions, butterbur is most commonly found beside streams and canals, in damp forests or among mosses on the ground. Its dense, globular flowers are the first part of the plant to appear and are a yellowish-lilac colour, followed by heart-shaped leaves, which continue to increase in size until the flower is spent and can reach up to 2ft across.
Interesting facts: The leaves of butterbur were once used to wrap butter, hence the plant’s common name, while the botanical name comes from the Greek word for a wide-brimmed hat and refers to the plant’s large leaves.…
