Botany picture #8: Eranthis hyemalis

Eranthis hyemalis (Ranunculaceae) is one of the earliest plants to flower in Germany; it is not strictly native to that country but the genus is Eurasian, so it may just not have made it back after the last ice age. It is perennial but the above ground parts are very short-lived. Note also the funnel-shaped, modified petals in the lower picture; they contain the nectar.