Syneilesis aconitifolia

(aka: Senecio aconitifolius) I flipped (not literally) back in the 1980s when I first saw Syneilesis aconitifolia at the US National Arboretum, only later to rediscover it in the wilds of Korea. Syneilesis aconitifolia is a woodland Asteraceae (ligularia relative), native to dry hillsides in China, Japan, and Korea. As shredded umbrella plants emerge in early spring, the white wooly leaves push through the ground like mayapples...or more appropriately, like shredded umbrellas after a hurricane. The exquisite foliage of Syneilesis aconitifolia flattens out atop 18" stems by mid-spring. Expect a decent-sized colony as the rhizomes slowly spread (2' wide in 5-7 years). Flowers...forget the insignificant flowers...and enjoy the luscious foliage!