Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Petasites hybridus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 3 m (9ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf from April to December, in flower from March to 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: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

None known. — Harvested fresh in season according to PFAF botanical monograph.

Habitat & North American Range

Wet meadows and copses by streams to 1500 metres. The female form is rare or absent from much of Britain. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)