Winter-aconite (Eranthis hyemalis, Trans. Linn. Soc. London 8: 304 (1807))

Family: Ranunculaceae

Author: (L.) Salisb.

Bibliography: Trans. Linn. Soc. London 8: 304 (1807)

Year: 1807

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Eranthis

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. France to Bulgaria

Description

The Winter-aconite, scientifically known as Eranthis hyemalis, is a modest yet captivating flowering plant that graces gardens and woodlands with its vibrant presence during the colder months. First documented in a scholarly article in the Transactions of the Linnean Society of London in 1807 by the eminent botanist (L.) Salisb., this plant is a testament to the enduring fascination with early spring flora.

Belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, the Winter-aconite is native to a region stretching from southeastern France to Bulgaria. It thrives in these areas, where it has adapted to the specific climatic and soil conditions. This perennial is particularly admired for its ability to bring a splash of color to the barren winter landscape, offering a glimpse of the forthcoming rebirth that spring promises.

The Winter-aconite is characterized by its distinctive bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers, which sit atop short stalks emerging from a ring of finely divided, dark green leaves. These flowers typically begin to appear in late winter or very early spring, often breaking through the snow to bloom. This early flowering not only provides aesthetic pleasure but also offers one of the first sources of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators emerging from their winter dormancy.

The plant’s preference for well-drained soil and partial to full shade makes it an ideal candidate for woodland gardens or naturalized settings. Its bulbous rhizomes ensure that once established, it can form attractive clumps that expand over the years, providing an ever-increasing display with minimal maintenance.

Beyond its ornamental value, the Winter-aconite has a modest stature and resilient nature that make it suitable for a variety of garden settings. Whether planted in borders, rock gardens, or beneath deciduous trees, Eranthis hyemalis brings not only its own beauty but also heralds the arrival of spring, making it a cherished plant for horticulturists and garden enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig erantis, erantis, have-erantis, vinterblomme
Fra: ellébore d’hiver, hellébore d’hiver, eranthe dhiver, éranthe d’hiver
Deu: südeuropäischer winterling, winterling, kleiner winterling
Eng: winter aconite, winter-aconite, winter hellebore
Nld: winterakoniet
Ces: talovín zimní, tavolín zimní
Hun: téltemető
Swe: vintergäck
Cym: bleidd-dag y gaeaf
En: Winter-aconite, Winter aconite, Winter hellebore
Ar: خرباق شتوي
Bg: Презимуващ ерантис
Zh: 冬菟葵
Cs: Talovín zimní, Tavolín zimní
Da: Have-Erantis, Almindelig erantis, Erantis, Vinterblomme
Nl: Winterakoniet
Eo: Erantido vintra
Et: Talvine lumekupp
Fi: Italiantalventähti
Fr: Eranthe dhiver, Ellébore d’hiver, Hellébore d’hiver, Éranthe d’hiver, Éranthis d’hiver
De: Kleiner Winterling, Winterling, Südeuropäischer Winterling
Hu: Téltemető
Ga: Dáthabha geimhridh
It: Pi√® di gallo, Pié-di-gallo
Mk: Зимски кукурек
No: Vinterblom
Fa: آرانتیس هیمالیس
Pl: Rannik zimowy
Ru: Весенник зимний
Sk: Tavolín zimný
Es: Acónito de invierno, Navadna jarica
Sv: Vintergäck
Zh-tw: 冬菟葵
Tr: Kar çiçeği
Uk: Ерантіс зимуючий
Cy: Bleidd-dag y gaeaf
Fy: Ayttablomke

Synonyms

• Cammarum hyemale ((L.) Hill)
• Helleboroides hyemale ((L.) Kuntze)
• Eranthis bulgarica ((Stef.) Stef.)
• Helleborus hyemalis (L.)
• Eranthis hyemalis var. bulgarica (Stef.)
• Helleborus monanthos (Moench)
• Helleborus involucratus (Stokes)
• Koellea hyemalis ((L.) Biria)
• Eranthis hyemalis var. tubergenii ((Bowles) P.D.Sell)
• Eranthis tubergenii (Bowles)
• Robertia hiemalis ((L.) Mérat)

Distribution

• Bulgaria (native)
• France (native)
• Italy (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Feb 1, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 30, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 11, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 10, 2022 by beurny (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 24, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 4, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 4, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2022 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 4, 2021 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2020 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Feb 15, 2020 by Chris (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2022 by R. Gruschi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 22, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 2, 2022 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2020 by Christoph Hägele (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 7, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 9, 2021 by Negri Mariano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 22, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2022 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 14, 2022 by elsa ko (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2021 by Manuel Troester (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3033227)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:711189-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Eranthis hyemalis (L.) Salisb.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 4

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Soil nutriments: 6