Winter aconite is a poisonous tuberous perennial plant in the buttercup family, native to southern Europe, including France, Italy, and the Balkans. It is one of the earliest bloomers, often emerging in late winter. The plant was introduced to England in the 16th century as a garden ornamental and has since become naturalised, particularly in the east of England.
A low-growing woodland plant, winter aconite grows to 4 inches in height. It features bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers 1 inch in diameter, each surrounded by a collar of green leaf-like bracts. Following the flowering period, deeply lobed, dark green leaves appear, which eventually die back as the plant goes dormant by late spring.
It should be planted with caution in areas accessible to children and pets, since all parts of the winter aconite are toxic if eaten. Symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and, in severe cases, cardiac arrest.
Winter aconite provides nectar and pollen to the first pollinators of the season. Bees, particularly honeybees, are attracted to its bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers, which offer vital food sources during a time when few other plants are in bloom.
You can see the plants in late January and February along the Thicket Path from St Ives, and in the gardens of The Elms at Houghton. To view more walk details, click Houghton Mill via The Thicket.
For more nature topics and walks, click Cambridgeshire Nature Watch.
