The Woodside Butterbur
by Matt
Came across a long stream of butterbur running down the hill to the garden on a thin strip of woodland glade. It is Petesites, but not certain of the species. It’s early flowering too, particularly for this time of year, but a great sight along the roadside, straddling the equatorial divide. It almost acts as a lure, or a promise of things to be discovered and stumbled upon deeper in the woods. Butterbur is more than an enchantment too, herbally speaking. The plant has a long history as an all-round revitaliser, used to treat migraines, muscle pain and fever. Its scent is enticing at first, quickly becoming sickly, like that of a sweet shop.
The Orange Tip 
I believe this is Petasites fragrans. I had this in my town front garden when I moved here but because it is so invasive I had to remove it with systemic weedkiller, in part to pasify the neighbours! Shame, I thought it had a lovely scent on a balmy evening. I do, however, still have a small piece in the back garden in a pot to pasify me!!