Another European plant naturalised in Britain. The yellow aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) is native to France, Italy and the Balkans.
It appears early in January and February but as the flowers fade the little ruff of leaves drinks in the spring sunshine to build up strength for next winter and then the plant disappears underground for nine months. This is a typical strategy for woodland plants, which make the most of the available light when the leaves are off the trees.
Although it is a cheery yellow I think I prefer the subtler shades of primroses.
Like all aconites it is poisonous in all its parts.
The flowers are mostly over now and the seeds are developing.
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