Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)
Description
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is a herbaceous perennial plant [3] that spreads low to the ground creating a canopy across the soil [5]. Its large basal leaves are heart shaped [3] and covered by a toothed margin [4] that can grow up to 6 inches wide [3]. The underside of the leaves are covered in white fuzzy hairs, while the tops are smooth and have a wax-like appearance. There is no main stem but the leaves are connected to the plant with long stems and petioles that range between 10-20cm. Although the leaves are dark green, the stems and veins are purple. Before the leaves emerge in late june to mid-july [5], there are bright yellow flowers that bloom and resemble dandelions [3].They bloom in early spring and are able to push through snow in northern areas Each single flower is between 1-1.5 cm in diameter and is surrounded by involucral bracts with rows of pistillate flowers in ray florets and five stamens [2].
Name & Taxonomy
Apart from its common name, Coltsfoot is also referred to as coughwort, horsefoot, foalfoot and clayweed [9].
| Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | Genus | Species | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | Plantae | Tracheophyta | Magnoliopsida | Asterales | Asteraceae | Tussilago L. | Tussilago farfara L. |
[7]
Range and Habitat
Coltsfoot is native to Europe, as well as western Asia and northwestern Africa. It can spread to Siberia, the Arctic circle and the Himalayas [6]. They naturally prefer disturbed, wet clay areas like along roadsides and floodplain forests [2]. They can also be found along riverbanks and shorelines. Although non-native to North America, Coltsfoot can be found throughout eastern United States and Southern Canada [6] due to its ability to aggressively spread [4]. It can be traced in America back to 1840 and was most likely introduced for medicinal purposes by Europeans [6].
Herbal & Medicinal uses
The most common use for Coltsfoot is to relieve respiratory problems such as coughing, asthma and bronchitis [4]. This is due to the mucilage, bitter glycosides and tannins in the plant that contribute to the anti-inflammatory and antitussive benefits [2]. There are multiple ways to use Coltsfoot including smoking the leaves, making the unopened flowers and leaves into herbal teas [5], and syrups [4]. Coltsfoot can also be made into decoctions for external application on sores and rashes [5],
References
[1] Chen, S., L. Dong, H. Quan, X. Zhou, J. Ma, W. Xia, H. Zhou, and X. Fu. 2020, December 30. A review of the ethnobotanical value, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and quality control of Tussilago farfara L. (coltsfoot) - ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037887412033364X.
[2] Coltsfoot: Pictures, Flowers, Leaves & Identification | Tussilago farfara. (n.d.). . https://www.ediblewildfood.com/coltsfoot.aspx.
[3] coltsfoot: Tussilago farfara (Asterales: Asteraceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. (n.d.). . https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=6564.
[4] Culturally and Economically Important Nontimber Forest Products of Northern Maine - Sustaining Forests - Northern Research Station - USDA Forest Service. (n.d.). . https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/sustaining_forests/conserve_enhance/special_products/maine_ntfp/plants/coltsfoot/.
[5] GISD. (n.d.). . http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=426.
[6] Innes, R. J. 2011. Tussilago farfara. In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
[7] ITIS - Report: Tussilago farfara. (n.d.). .
[8] Sheremetyev, I. 2006. Tussilago farfara L. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science.
[9] Sievers, A. F. 1998, March 18. Coltsfoot.