Petasites hybridus(L.) "G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb. Common Butterbur

Petasites hybridus(L.) "G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb. - Common Butterbur

Scientific Description:

Perennial with stout, usually horizontal rhizome. Stems up to 80 cm. Basal leaves long-petiolate, lamina 8−90(−120) cm diam., ± orbicular, cordate, somewhat lobed with large distant teeth and small intervening ones, at first hairy on both sides, later becoming glabrous and green above, greyish-floccose below or rarely glabrous. Flowering stems often purplish, bearing lanceolate scale-leaves sometimes with a rudimentary lamina. Inflorescence usually longer than broad at flowering, lengthening with age. Male capitula 6−12 mm long; female capitula 4−7(−8) mm long. Phyllaries obtuse, eglandular. Flowers reddish-violet to creamy-white. Achenes 2−3 mm. Pappus 6−10 mm.

Flowering time: May−June.

Habitat: Damp places, often by streams, s.l. −1800 m.

Reference:
Matthews VA (1975). Petasites hybridus (L.) Gaertner, Mey. & Scherb., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 5: 169.

Public Description:

Petasites hybridus, known as “common Butterbur” or “pestilence wort”, is native to Europe, Mediterranean region and northern Asia. It is a herbaceous perennial plant with reddish-violet to creamy-white flowers and grows up to 80 cm in length. It blooms between May and June and is found in damp places and often by streams. The common butterbur extracts are used for migraine prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis. Their extracts may contain harmful components called “pyrrolizidine alkaloids” if the preparations are not carefully and fully purified, in which chemicals are toxic to the liver and may cause cancers. Thus, taking common butterbur supplements is not recommended, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

References:

Anonymous (2017). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petasites_hybridus, Accessed date: 22.06.2017.

Ekim T (2012). Petasites Mill., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 185-186.