Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara, Sp. Pl.: 865 (1753))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 865 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Tussilago

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Eurasia to N. Africa and Nepal

Description

Coltsfoot, scientifically recognized as Tussilago farfara, is a fascinating plant known for its unique phenology and traditional medicinal uses. Indigenous to temperate regions of Eurasia, stretching to North Africa and as far as Nepal, this resilient herb thrives in diverse climates and varied terrains.

Belonging to the Asteraceae family, coltsfoot is often one of the first flowers to bloom in early spring, sometimes even before the last snows have melted. This timing gives it a head start in taking advantage of early spring pollinators. The bright, yellow, dandelion-like flowers are a common sight on roadsides, in pastures, and on disturbed ground, where they establish quickly and form dense colonies.

The leaves of coltsfoot, which appear after the flowers have bloomed and withered, are distinctly large and heart-shaped, with a woolly texture on the underside. This unique characteristic has not only inspired its common name but also makes identification relatively straightforward.

Historically, coltsfoot has been used in traditional medicine, most notably as a remedy for coughs and respiratory ailments. The genus name, Tussilago, is derived from Latin, meaning “cough suppressant,” highlighting its long-standing association with folk remedies. Infusions made from the leaves and flowers were commonly used to alleviate symptoms of bronchitis and other lung-related afflictions.

However, modern studies have raised some concerns regarding the pyrrolizidine alkaloids present in coltsfoot, which can be toxic to the liver with prolonged use. As a result, its medicinal application has waned in favor of more extensively studied and safer alternatives.

The botanical classification of coltsfoot was first officially described in 1753 by the eminent Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, who listed the species in his seminal work Species Plantarum. This pivotal publication laid the foundation for modern botanical nomenclature and classification.

In summary, coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is a noteworthy plant with a rich history and notable characteristics. Its early spring blossoms and subsequent large, heart-shaped leaves make it a remarkable species within the Asteraceae family. Despite its historical medicinal uses, contemporary caution is advised due to its potential toxic properties.

Common Names

Fin: aitaorapihlaja, pensashanhikki, sikoangervo, leskenlehti
Dan: almindelig buskpotentil, følfod
Swe: brudbröd, jätteälggräs, kanadahagtorn, rysk vittok, sibirsk hagtorn, tok, hästhov, leskenlehti
Nor: buskmure, knollmjødurt, leer-skrep, skrep, skreppe
Eng: coltsfoot, colt’s-foot, clayweed, colts-foot, coughwort, dovedock
Deu: huflattich
Nob: hestehov
Nno: hestehov
Nld: klein hoefblad
Fra: tussilage, tussilage pas-d’âne
Sme: heasttagazzarássi
Cym: alan, alan bychan, carn yr ebol, dail baco, dail bacw, dail carn yr ebol, dail troed yr ebol, dail yr ebol, ebolgarn
En: Coltsfoot, Colt’s-Foot, Clayweed, Colts-foot, Coughwort, Dovedock, Ginger root, Horse-hoof, Ass’s Foot, Farfara, Fieldhove, Horsehoof, Son-before-father
Ar: حشيشة السعال
Hy: Տատրակ
Az: Adi dəvədabanı
Ba: Үгәй инә үләне
Be: Падбел
Bs: Podbjel
Bg: Подбел
Ca: Pota de cavall, Pota de caball
Zh: Kuan dong, 款冬
Kw: Troos ebel
Hr: Podbjel
Cs: Podběl lékařský
Da: Almindelig Følfod, Almindelig buskpotentil, Følfod
Nl: Klein hoefblad
Eo: Tusilago
Et: Paiseleht
Fi: Leskenlehti, Aitaorapihlaja, Pensashanhikki, Sikoangervo
Fr: Pas d’âne, Tussilage, Tussilage pas-d’âne, Pas-d’âne, Tussilage farfara, Chou de vigne, Fils-avant-le-père, Herbe aux pattes, Herbe de saint Quirin, Pas-de-cheval, Pied-de-cheval, Taconnet
De: Huflattich, Eselsfuß, Gemeiner Huflattich
El: Βήχιο
Hu: Martilapu
Is: Hóffífill
Io: Tusilajo
Ga: Sponc
It: Farfugio, Paparacchio, Tossilaggine comune, Farfara
Kk: Өгейшөп
Ky: Өгөй эне-өз эне
Kv: Вежьюр, Вижъюр
Ko: Gwandonghwa, 관동 (식물)
Ku: Pêcanik
Lv: Parastā māllēpe
Lt: Ankstyvasis šalpusnis
Lb: Ieselsfouss
Mk: Подбел
Gv: Cabbag ny h-awin
Se: Heasttagazzarássi
No: Hestehov, Buskmure, Knollmjødurt, Leer-skrep, Skrep, Skreppe
Nb: Hestehov
Nn: Hestehov
Oc: Chavalina, Erbà-de-pata, Pas-d’ase
Os: Хъумбала
Fa: پای خر
Pl: Podbiał pospolity
Pt-br: Tussilagem, Unha-de-cavalo
Qu: T’ika pilli
Ro: Podbal
Rm: Tschilendra
Ru: Мать-и-мачеха обыкновенная
Sr: Подбел
Sk: Podbeľ liečivý
Es: Navadni lapuh, Farafara, Pata de mula, Tusilago, Uña de caballo
Sv: Hästhov, Brudbröd, Jätteälggräs, Kanadahagtorn, Rysk vittok, Sibirsk hagtorn, Tok, Leskenlehti, Tussilago
Zh-tw: 款冬
Tr: Öksürük otu
Uk: Підбіл звичайний
Wa: Pate-di-polin
Cy: Dail troed yr ebol, Alan, Alan Bychan, Carn yr Ebol, Dail Baco, Dail Bacw, Dail Carn yr Ebol, Dail yr Ebol, Ebolgarn, Llun Troed yr Ebol, Llwyd Troed, Pesychlys, Troed y Tarw, Troed yr Ebol

Synonyms

• Tussilago radiata (Gilib.)
• Tussilago umbertina (Borbás)
• Petasites farfara (Baill.)
• Tussilago alpestris (Hegetschw.)
• Tussilago vulgaris (Lam.)
• Farfara radiata (Gilib.)
• Tussilago ruderalis (Salisb.)
• Tussilago generalis (E.H.L.Krause)
• Cineraria farfara ((L.) Bernh.)
• Tussilago rupestris (Wall.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Labrador (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Sakhalin (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 4, 2020 by vero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2021 by Jos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2021 by padrós toni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 10, 2022 by Danièle Auchére (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2021 by Andreas Höhler (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 23, 2020 by Waldemar Zeja (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2022 by beurny (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 6, 2021 by Emma Franklin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2022 by vero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2021 by padrós toni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2021 by Emma Franklin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2022 by beurny (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 1, 2021 by Emma Franklin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2020 by akire kilbuk (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2019 by Valérie Seyrig (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2020 by Waldemar Zeja (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2017 by Maximilien Perrin (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 29, 2022 by Myriam Garcia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2020 by Sarami (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2020 by Bernard Evrad (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2020 by Waldemar Zeja (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 16, 2020 by Bernard Evrad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2011 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3149879)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:256904-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Tussilago farfara L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘mar’, ‘apr’]

Soil nutriments: 7