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Winter Aconite

Eranthis hyemalis

Months

Season

Colour

Habitat

Pretty yellow Winter Aconite flowers site on a woodland floor. The bright yellow blooms stand out again a floor covered in fallen leaves.

How to identify:

Annual/Perennial/BiennialPerennial
Height15cm
Flower typeSingle flowers with 6 petals
LeavesLeaves spread from central point and are split into many sections
StemsGreen stem

 

Pretty yellow Winter Aconite flowers site on a woodland floor. The bright yellow blooms stand out again a floor covered in fallen leaves.

How to Spot

Winter Aconite is an easy one to keep an eye out for, as it has beautiful bright yellow flowers that help it stand out. Keep your eyes on the ground as it’s a small plant, that grows up to 15cm.

Underneath its pretty flower, it has a whorl of leaf-like bracts that a form a ruffly collar.

Where to Spot

This pretty plant is especially common in the east of England, and can be found in parks and woodlands.

Winter Aconite however is not a native wildflower. It was introduced in the 16th century as a garden plant. Now centuries later, it is considered naturalised.

Did you Know?

Winter Aconite has a number of different nicknames. In some regions, the pretty yellow flowers have been nicknamed ‘choirboys’. It’s said that the name came from the ruffle of leaves that surround the flower head. In other regions, they have been known as ‘Christmas-rose’ or ‘New Year’s Gift’, owing to their mid-winter appearance.

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