Butterbur

Butterbur

Petasites Hybridus

Petasites comes from the Greek petusos, a broad-brimmed hat; the leaves of the plant being equally effective as a shelter from the sun or rain.  These leaves, which grow to enormous sizes, were used in country districts as a cool wrapping for butters and cheeses.

In the middle ages, the roots were powdered and used to heal spots and blemishes.

I found  butterbur by the burn near  the 6th hole in March 1998.    The huge leaves appeared gradually over the next few months  .   By 2015  it had invaded  large areas of the burn banks and adjacent golf course.