This plant, introduced from Africa, has spread throughout Europe and forms large patches of heart or kidney shaped leaves. It is dioecious but only the male flowers are found in Britain and they have very short petals (rays). It isn't a very prolific flowerer and in spring, summer and autumn it only shows leaves. You could easily miss it flowering in months when it's unusual to find any new plant in flower. P. fragrans smells of vanilla and flowers from November through to February but has mostly finished by March 1st.
Grass verge at Loggerheads, North Wales, 12th January 2005
Latin Index English Index Home Page
Added on November 12 November 2004, amended on January 30th 2005