Butterbur (Petasites albus)

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Petasites albus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen in May. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Insects.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

The small fleshy petioles (leaf stems) are very palatable when cooked and eaten like asparagus. — The small fleshy petioles (leaf stems) are very palatable when cooked and eaten like asparagus.

Habitat & North American Range

Waste ground, roadsides, plantations and woods, often in damp soils. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)