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Tussilago farfara L.

Coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderAsteralesFlowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies
FamilyAsteraceaeThe aster family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers; from the Greek ἀστήρ, “star,” for the star-shaped flowers
GenusTussilago“For a cough,” since this was used to cure coughs
SpeciesfarfaraOld Latin name for coltsfoot

About plant names...

Coltsfoot is native to some regions of Europe and Asia. It was introduced to North and South America for its medical properties, and has become naturalized there, an invasive plant in many areas. “Coltsfoot” and many other of the common names are for the shape of the leaves at the base of the plant. It appears very early, and is common in disturbed soils, and along damp roadsides and streambeds.

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

Coltsfoot basal leaves.

Identification: Leaves at the base of the plant are heart-shaped, and up to 6″ (15 cm) wide. Stems are stiff, lined with small reddish-brown scales, about 3-18″ (7.6-45 cm) high. There is a single yellow flower on each stem, about ¾″ (1.9 cm) across, composed of many tiny petals, similar to a dandelion. (In ultraviolet light, the outer petals appear white and the inner region red.) The flowers appear in early spring. Distinguish them from dandelions by their very different leaf shapes, and scaly stems.

Edibility: Flower buds and young flowers are said to add an anise-like (licorice-like) flavor to salads. Young leaves are also edible, provided that they are washed after boiling to remove a bitter taste. The dried leaves can be used to make a tea, or boiled with sugar to produce cough drops.

Medical: Coltsfoot has been pressed into service for a wide range of ailments. The most consistent use is the treatment of coughs and respiratory problems, often with a candy made from the leaves.

Online References:

Www.jeffpippen.com

Ontario Wildflowers

Invasive.org, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

Wikipedia

CalPhotos

The Ecology of Commanster

Www.tussilago-farfara.com

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

2bnTheWild.com

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

4/28/2014 · Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

The leaf underside is almost white. · 7/11/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 12″ (21 × 31 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

4/22/2014 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation L, Brookline, New Hamp­shire

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

5/2/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

4/4/2010 · Owl’s Head Transportation Museum Nature Walk, Owl’s Head, Maine · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

4/15/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

5/13/2021 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 14 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

4/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

 

Tussilago farfara description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 6 May 2023.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

5/13/2021 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

5/4/2012 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 15 × 10″ (39 × 26 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

8/25/2017 · Pack Monadnock, near summit, Peterborough, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

4/10/2021 · Stream Loop Trail, Big Falls Preserve, New Gloucester, Maine · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 20 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

5/7/2023 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

The sepal is red-brown. (Surrounding foliage is ferns, not coltsfoot.) · 4/23/2023 · Butler Head Preserve, Bath, Maine

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

5/1/2023 · Tom and Susan's, Highland Green, Topsham, Maine

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

4/4/2010 · Owl’s Head Transportation Museum Nature Walk, Owl’s Head, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

4/24/2011 · Kevin and Becky’s, Rockland, Maine · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

4/23/2023 · Butler Head Preserve, Bath, Maine

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

4/28/2014 · Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

4/23/2021 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 6 × 10″ (16 × 24 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

5/13/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (10 × 15 cm)

Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot, ass’s foot, bull’s foot, butterbur, coughwort, farfara, foal’s foot, foalswort, horse foot, winter heliotrope)

4/4/2010 · Owl’s Head Transportation Museum Nature Walk, Owl’s Head, Maine · ≈ 15 × 10″ (39 × 26 cm)

Range:

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