This early low growing perennial has very short stems 10 to 15cm tall with a leafy tuft from which the stalked flowers appear. Its leaves which form rosettes around the base of the plant are oval, toothed and have a wrinkled texture.

It flowers from February to May (and often even earlier than this!) and its beautiful yellow flowers with 5 notched petals and orange markings in the centre herald the arrival of spring.

The fruit which is left after the flowers have died off are globular capsules which open to release many angular seeds. It grows in woodlands, hedges, meadows and on grassy roadside verges.