photo: Cleveland Metroparks
Common Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)
 William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International, Bugwood.org |
 William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International, Bugwood.org |
Form:
A herbaceous perennial plant in the family Asteraceae, native to Europe and northern Asia.
Leaves:
Huge, angular leaves grow on stout 2.5-4' tall stems, reaching a diameter of 1-2.5".
Flowers:
Pale pink clusters of tiny flowers appear on single stalks 0.1-0.6" tall; the leaves appear after the flowers.
Similar Species:
Butterbur is a close relative of coltsfoot (Tussilago farara) and arctic sweet coltsfoot (Petasites frigidus), but the size of its mature leaves sets it apart from other Ohio asters.
Tier 3 - Presence is of Interest
The species that occur in this tier are likely ornamental escapes. It is not known whether they are established and/or spreading within Cleveland Metroparks. The ecological impact is poorly known for these species.
Action: The presence of these plants should be recorded by approximating the number of plants. Initial population numbers are likely small.
