Taxonomy

Petasites fragrans | Winter Heliotrope | Plúr na gréine

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

Not Assessed

Native status

Not native

First reported in the wild

pre-1866

Invasiveness

Non-native species - Low risk of Impact

Irish status

Established

Introduction pathways - 1

Escape from Confinement

Introduction pathways subclass - 1

Ornamental purpose

Invasive score

12

NAPRA Ireland risk assessed

No

Species Biology

Identification

Short hairy herbaceous perennial, up to 30cm, heart shaped leaves 20-50cm wide persisting in winter (Booy et al., 2015). White to lilac flowers, smelling strongly of almonds or vanilla (Booy et al., 2015). May be confused with P. albus (unscented flowers, leaves absent in winter), P. hybridus (native, much larger leaves up to 120cm) and P. japonicus (leaves up to 90cm).

Ecology

Forms dense stands excluding native vegetation (Booy et al., 2015).

Habitat

Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats; Constructed, industrial or other artificial habitats; Woodland, forest and other wooded land

Reproduction

Reproduces vegetatively as only male plants found in Britain and Ireland (Preston et al., 2004).

Pathway and vector description

Originally planted for use as ground cover or a winter food plant for bees (Reynolds, 2002). Thought to still be spreading in Britain and Ireland (Preston et al., 2004).

Mechanism of impact

Competition

Broad environment

Terrestrial

Habitat description

Found in hedgerows, roadsides, stream banks, waste ground and edges of woodland (Booy et al., 2015; Reynolds, 2002).

Species group

Plant

Native region

Europe, Africa

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Irish distribution

Established - Widespread & Common. Common along roadsides where it can form dense stands, likely under recorded.

Native distribution

Native to Italy, Sardinia and North Africa (Preston et al., 2004).

Temporal change

Date of first record category

Pre-1900

Fifty year date category

Unknown

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.

How can you help

Report any sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.


This species is included in our spring flowering plants project. If you see the species please submit your sighting. All information is very valuable.

Full list of species included in the spring flowering plants project:

  1. Bluebell
  2. Common Dog-violet
  3. Cowslip
  4. Early Dog-violet
  5. Early-purple Orchid
  6. Lady’s smock (Cuckooflower)
  7. Lesser Celandine
  8. Lords-and Ladies
  9. Primrose
  10. Toothwort
  11. Wild Garlic
  12. Winter Heliotrope
  13. Wood Anemone
  14. Wood Sorrel
  15. Coltsfoot
  16. Three-cornered Garlic

Further information

This species is included in the spring flowering plants project which is a collaboration between the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the BSBI. It is hoped we can collect valuable data to improve our knowledge of the current distribution of some common plants. All data will be fully validated by both partners before loading to Biodiversity Maps and being made available to the BSBI.

References

Publications

Booy, O., Wade, M. & Roy, H. (2015) A Field Guide to Invasive Plants & Animals in Britain. Bloomsbury.

Preston, C.D., Pearman, D. A. & Dines, T. D. (2002). New atlas of the British and Irish flora. An atlas of the vascular plants of Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, Oxford University Press.

Reynolds, S.C.P. (2002) A catalogue of alien plants in Ireland. National Botanic Gardens. Glasnevin, Dublin.

Stace, C. (1997). New Flora of the British Isles 2nd Edition. Cambrige University Press, Cambridge.


Additional comments

Species now known as Petasites pyrenaicus

Control of Winter helitrope is currently being researched by Eithne Davis under a new  EPA funded project led by CERIS, Institute of Technology, Sligo  that targets the Prevention, Control and Eradication of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) on the Island of Ireland.

For winter heliotrope control, they will determine the most effective herbicide/adjuvant combination and time of year for application and produce best practice guidelines for the long-term control. For more information see: www.itsligo.ie/old-reesearch-welcome/research-centres-and-groups/ceris/ceris-projects/alien-species/ 

Images