Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis (L.) Salisb.)
↑Summary
A perennial, native to Europe, where it has hugely expanded beyond its original range. Introduced in North America, where it has only become established in a few locations, mostly southeast Pennsylvania and Northern Delaware, but can be locally common where it is found.
↑Range - Expand
Legend | Color |
Introduced | |
Introduced or Not Present |
This tentative map is based on our own research. It may have limited data on Canada and/or Mexico, and there is some subjectivity in our assignment of plants as introduced vs. expanded. Read more in this blog post.
Although this plant occurs somewhere in each of these regions, it may only occur in a small part of some or all of them.
This species is also introduced in Ontario, Canada; we have yet to build the portion of its range map in Canada.
↑Habitat
In its native habitat, found in calcareous (high in limestone or calcium) woodlands.
In North America, usually found in woodlands near suburban gardens, especially in areas with calcareous soil. The potential for this species establishment in the wild in North America is not well-known.
↑Uses
Occasionally planted as a garden plant, especially in woodland gardens. The use of this plant in gardening is the primary way this plant has gotten established in the wild.
↑Related Plants
This is the only plant of its genus found in North America.
The broader Ranunculaceae or buttercup family contains numerous species of many different genera, both native and introduced.
↑Links & External Resources
• Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite) | USDA PLANTS Database (About This Site)
• Eranthis hyemalis (Winter Aconite) | Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder (About This Site)
• Eranthis hyemalis | CABI Invasive Species Compendium (About This Site)
• Eranthis hyemalis | Biota of North America Project (BONAP) (About This Site)
• Eranthis hyemalis (L.) Salisb. | Plants of the World Online (POWO) (About This Site)
• Eranthis hyemalis | NatureServe Explorer (About This Site)
• Eranthis hyemalis | Flora of North America (About This Site)
• Winter Aconite | Maryland Biodiversity Project (About This Site)
• Eranthis hyemalis (L.) Salisb. (Winter-aconite) | Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora (About This Site)