Common Butterbur in early spring

Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is a perennial from the family Asteraceae. It is common in all of the Carpathian Mountains. It likes damp areas in gorges and near mountain streams. It is one of the first plants to bloom in spring. It starts blooming before its leaves develop. Buds appear in early March. Leaves of Butterbur are very large (some can even reach 60 cm in diameter) and have an unpleasant odor. The leaves are often consumed by snails and thus you will often see a large number of holes in them. The Low Beskid - Rymanow Zdroj - Shore of Black Creek - March 30, 2008.