Birth flower for February 16
Winter aconite
Meaning: the first smile of spring
One of the very first flowers of the year, it pushes little yellow bowls up through late snow. Eranthis comes from the Greek for spring flower, and hyemalis means of winter. The green ruff under each bloom is a leafy bract, and the yellow petals are really sepals. On dull days and at night the flowers fold shut.