Coltsfoot, Not Dandelions in April

  • Post published:04/22/2015
  • Post comments:2 Comments
Coltsfoot, Tussilago farfara
Coltsfoot, Tussilago farfara

Coltsfoot, properly known as Tussilago farfara, has other names like horse foot, foal’s foot and bull’s foot all referring to the shape of the plant’s leaves which will not appear for a while yet. Another name for Coltsfoot is Coughwort because of its use as an antitussive, a remedy for throat irritation and coughs. In both China and Europe it has been used in medicines for all kinds of respiratory complaints.

I have a cough but I have never made a tea or tincture out of coltsfoot. I just admire it as one of the earliest wildflower bloomers in my garden. This is growing on the Rose Bank where I thought it might form a ground cover, eliminating weeds. You can see this theory has not been successful.

I have written about coltsfoot many times before, and I  just noticed that its bloom time has been pretty conisistent.  I am just so glad to see color in the garden.

 

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Lisa at Greenbow

    Coltsfoot is such a sweet little flower. Love seeing bright yellow this time of year.

  2. Pat

    Lisa – I love sunny flowers. So encouraging at this time of the year when it is still so cold in our neighborhood.

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