Try for Free
tab list
PictureThis
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
PictureThis
Search
Search Plants
Try for Free
Global
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
This page looks better in the app
picturethis icon
Instantly identify plants with a snap
Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Continue Reading
Winter aconite

How to identify Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)

Winter aconite, also known as Winter wolf's bane

Winter aconite thrives in the chill of late winter to early spring with vibrant yellow, cup-shaped flowers measuring 3 to 6 inches (7.5 to 15 cm) tall and roughly 6 inches (15 cm) wide. Each bloom nods gracefully atop short stems and features a center densely packed with numerous stamens, circled by distinctive tubular nectaries. Surrounding these blooms are bright green bracts, while palmate or pinnate dark green basal leaves spread out below, each divided into several deep lobes.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Winter aconite

1

Vibrant yellow cup-shaped flowers, 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) tall and 6 inches (15 cm) wide.

2

Distinctive palmate or pinnate dark green basal leaves with several deep lobes.

3

Stout, rhizomatous stem with a reddish-brown color, lacking significant branching.

4

Bright yellow flowers with six showy petals measuring about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.

5

Green fruit capsules with elongated beaks and encircling sepals, small in size.

Winter aconiteWinter aconiteWinter aconiteWinter aconiteWinter aconite

Detailed Traits of Winter aconite

Leaf Features

The leaves of winter aconite are basal or cauline and are palmately compound with a coriaceous and glabrous texture. The petioles, often mistaken for leaves, are elongate and peltate. Each leaf comprises 3-9 leaflets that are irregularly toothed or serrate. The leaves offer a distinctive appearance crucial for identification purposes.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary
Group
Flower Features

Winter aconite blooms from late winter to early spring, showcasing bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers. Each flower has six showy petals, which are broadly ovate-elliptic, and measures about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Surrounding the flowers are green, leaf-like bracts that form a collar. The inner petal segments include numerous tubular nectaries, colored green to greenish-yellow. The flowers are also characterized by abundant stamens with yellow anthers, adding a striking contrast to the overall appearance.

Learn About the Flower Glossary
Group
Stem Features

The stem of winter aconite is stout and rhizomatous, typically reddish-brown in color. It often exhibits an erect posture and can either be partially exposed or submerged in the soil. The texture is firm and robust, with the stem surface being somewhat smooth to the touch. Thickness generally ranges around 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1 cm) in diameter. Notably, the stem lacks significant branching, which is a distinguishing feature for identification.

Learn About the Stem Glossary
Group
Fruit Features

The fruit of winter aconite manifests as a cluster of green capsules, each with a pronounced, elongated beak at the apex. These capsules, enveloped by the plant's long-lasting sepals, are fleshy in texture. The color remains a consistent green throughout development. The unique beak-like structures atop the capsules and the encircling sepals are distinctive features that facilitate recognition. These fruits are typically small, appealing to novice plant enthusiasts for their curious appearance.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary
Group
Icon code

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them
Img topic
Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Img topic
Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Img topic
Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Img topic
Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Img topic
Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Img topic
Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Identify Winter aconite easily and quickly
We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.
Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Winter aconite

Attributes of Winter aconite
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Flower Size
2.5 cm
Flower Color
Yellow
Fruit Color
Green
Stem Color
Green
Red
Yellow
Brown
Leaf type
Deciduous
Identify plants with a snap
Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.
Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Winter aconite

Family
Buttercup
Icon allow
Species
Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
Learn More About the Winter aconite

Distribution Map of Winter aconite

Winter aconite is originally native to parts of southern and eastern Europe. It has since been introduced to various regions of central and northern Europe, where it is often cultivated. Its presence extends across the European continent, thriving in temperate zones.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
close
close
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
ad
Botanist in your pocket
qrcode
PictureThis Ios DownloadPictureThis Android Download
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app