Authentic Wisconsin.  Winter Aconite - Eranthis hyemalis


Winter Aconite in yard near Gates and Brovi on February 25, 2024.


Above: Winter Aconite in yard near Gates and Brovi in Madison, Wisconsin (2/25/24).


Winter Aconite - Eranthis hyemalis (spring ephemeral)

Winter Aconite is not native to Wisconsin or North America but it can naturalize under the the right conditions. A member of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) is one of the earliest bulbs to bloom in spring.

Native to Asia Minor and Europe, Winter Aconite grows 3-6″ tall.

Hyemalis: Latin for "winter-flowering".
Er: Greek for "Spring" and anthos: Greek for "flower" - so named for its early flowering


Note: All parts of the plant are poisonous when consumed by humans and other mammals because it contains cardiac glycosides that can be harmful in large doses.

Blooms late winter and early spring.

Other names: Winter Wolf's Bane

There is a nice article about Winter Aconite by Elizabeth Winpenny Lawson (click here)


For more information on the Winter Aconite, visit Wikipedia.

Or, visit the UW-Madison Wisconsin Horticulture Division of Extension website page about Winter Aconite.


Winter Aconite in yard near the Duck Pond on March 13, 2021.
Winter Aconite in yard near the Duck Pond on March 13, 2021.
Winter Aconite in yard near the Duck Pond on March 13, 2021.
Winter Aconite in yard near the Duck Pond on March 13, 2021.
Winter Aconite in yard near the Duck Pond on March 13, 2021.
Winter Aconite in yard near the Duck Pond on March 25, 2022.
Winter Aconite in yard behind Gates and Brovi in Madison, Wisconsin on March 7, 2023.
Winter Aconite in behind Gates and Brovi in Madison, Wisconsin on March 7, 2023.
Winter Aconite in yard behind Gates and Brovi in Madison, Wisconsin on March 7, 2023.
Winter Aconite in behind Gates and Brovi in Madison, Wisconsin on March 7, 2023.
Winter Aconite in behind Gates and Brovi in Madison, Wisconsin on March 7, 2023.
Winter Aconite in yard near Duck Pond in Madison, Wisconsin on March 13, 2021.
Winter Aconite in yard behind Gates and Brovi in Madison, Wisconsin on March 7, 2023.
Winter Aconite in yard behind Gates and Brovi in Madison, Wisconsin on February 25, 2024.
Winter Aconite in yard behind Gates and Brovi in Madison, Wisconsin on February 25, 2024.

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Wisconsin Wildflowers


Winter Aconite
Eranthis hyemalis


Winter Aconite in yard behind Gates and Brovi in Madison, Wisconsin on February 08, 2024.


Above: Winter Aconite in yard behind Gates and Brovi in Madison, Wisconsin on February 08, 2024.


Winter Aconite that has escaped and naturalized near Ho Nee Um Pond on March 09, 2023.


Above: Winter Aconite that has escaped and naturalized near Ho Nee Um Pond on March 09, 2023.


Winter Aconite in yard near the Duck Pond on March 25, 2020.


Above: Winter Aconite in yard near the Duck Pond on March 25, 2020


Winter Aconite botanical illustration by william Curtis circa 1787.


Above: Winter Aconite botanical illustration by William Curtis circa 1787.


Winter Aconite 1907 botanical illustration.


Above: Winter Aconite 1907 botanical illustration by F. Edward Hulme.


Winter Aconite 1905 botanical illustration.


Above: Winter Aconite 1905 botanical illustration.


Winter Aconite 1885 botanical illustration.


Above: Winter Aconite 1885 botanical illustration by Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé.


Winter Aconite 1913 botanical illustration.


Above: Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) 1913 botanical illustration.



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