Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is an introduced wildflower from Europe, likely from early settlers that cultivated it for its medicinal value. It had been one of the most popular European remedies for a wide range of chest complaints. In fact, the root of the genus name Tussilago comes from the Lain word tussis, which means ”cough” – a reference to the supposed curative powers of coltsfoot. The flower buds, young flowers, and young leaves are also edible raw or cooked. Some caution is advised if you plan to eat this plant or use it medicinally, however, as recent chemical studies have shown that it also contains liver-affecting alkaloids and is potentially toxic in large doses. It has since escaped from cultivation and spread extensively. Coltsfoot is currently considered invasive in Massachusetts. It prefers disturbed habitats, such as cultivated, fallow, and successional fields, railroad rights-of-way, roadsides, and ditches.

The flowers of coltsfoot resemble those of the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) but are generally smaller and have sterile disc florets in addition to numerous, fertile ray florets. Flowering stems are covered with wooly hairs and scaly bracts, and emerge in early spring before the development of leaves. I found the flowering plants pictured here in Attleboro, MA last week, so they’re definitely early bloomers. Several flowering stems arise from a single rootstock. The leaves, which emerge later, develop as a basal rosette and are roughly heart-shaped. The common name refers to the resemblance of the leaf shape to a colt’s foot.