This plant is now spreading widely across the area, pictured in full flower. Butterbur is a pink-liver coloured plant that spreads by creeping stems. Male plants are common across England, however female plants are generally only found in the Midlands, Yorkshire and Lancashire. Male plants occasionally have a single female flower on them and this may help with pollination. The plant's large leaves (up to 90cm) have a dense felting of hairs underneath and were used to wrap butter. The plant was also used to cure blemishes. The male flower-head is short stalked and consists of functional male flowers and several sterile ones. The female flower (not shown) is longer stalked and develops into plumed seeds. The plant likes damp places near rivers and streams. Butterbur has upright stems and as the plant grows, the stem bears lance-shaped scales. The plant flowers March to May. Picture taken at Stevington, Bedfordshire 1st April 2006. For pictures of the developing plant see March's album.