20 June 2009 Dracunculus vulgaris 20 June 2009 Dracunculus vulgaris

Rather a strange early Spring flowering plant. It overwinters, flowers and some years produces seed, but is generally propagated by daughter bulbs. It dies back completely during the Summer and reappears almost as soon as the snow disappears. The flower remains about three days and exudes a strong odour like the odour from a sea shell. The odour attracts flies which are the pollination vector.