Butterbur (Petasites albus)
Flowers: March to May. Height: 60cm (24in).
Its name is linked to the tradition of using its large leaves to wrap butter to stop it melting in warm weather.
Medicinal: It can be traced back to the Middle Ages when it was used to fight plague and fever by provoking sweat, and in the 1600s for treating coughs, asthma and skin wounds. The powered root would dry up sores and take away spots and skin blemishes.
