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Coltsfoot

Tussilago farfara

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameColtsfoot

DescriptionEarly spring wildflower featuring bright yellow, dandelion-like blooms that appear on scaly, reddish stems before leaves emerge, often pushing through snow. After flowering, large hoof-shaped leaves develop, resembling a colt's footprint—hence the name. Historically important medicinal herb for treating coughs and respiratory ailments, though modern use is limited due to toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in leaves and flowers.

FamilyAsteraceae

GenusTussilago

TribeSenecioneae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaRay florets - Br % ♀ K0 C∞ A0 G(2), Disk florets - Br ⊕ ⚥ K0 C(5) A(5) G(2)

Composite flower head (capitulum). Ray florets - Bracteate, bilaterally symmetrical, female, no sepals (modified to pappus), numerous fused petals, no stamens, 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary. Disk florets - Bracteate, radially symmetrical, bisexual, no sepals, 5 fused petals, 5 fused stamens, 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary

Features

Name 'Tussilago' from Latin 'tussis' (cough) referring to traditional use as cough remedy. 'Farfara' means 'to carry flour,' describing white-woolly undersides of leaves. 'Coltsfoot' from hoof-shaped leaves resembling young horse's foot. 'Coughwort' reflects medicinal use
Flowers 0.5-1.5 inches (1.5-4 cm) across, bright golden-yellow composite heads with numerous ray florets surrounding disc florets. Blooms appear singly on scaly, purplish-red stems 4-12 inches tall before leaves. Resembles small dandelion but blooms much earlier (February-April)
Perennial herb spreading by rhizomes. One of earliest spring bloomers, flowering February-April before leaves appear. After blooming, produces fluffy seed heads like dandelions. Large leaves emerge in late spring, persist through summer, die back in fall
Flower stems 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall. Leaves grow 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) wide. Lifespan of many years from persistent rhizomes. Spreads aggressively by rhizomes and seed. Propagated by rhizome division (though rarely cultivated due to invasiveness)
Native to Europe, western and central Asia, and North Africa from British Isles to Siberia, Arctic Circle to Himalayas. Introduced to North America by European settlers for medicine. Now naturalized and invasive in parts of Canada and northern United States
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. Prefers moist, heavy clay or disturbed soils. Commonly found along roadsides, stream banks, waste places, and construction sites. Tolerates poor drainage. Very hardy and difficult to eradicate once established
Historically used for over 2,000 years to treat coughs, bronchitis, and asthma—leaves smoked or made into tea. Contains mucilage (soothes throat) but also toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (liver damage). Modern herbal use discouraged. Considered invasive weed in North America. Flowers provide early nectar for bees

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificTussilago farfara

English (Alternate)Horsefoot, Foal's foot, Coughwort, Sowfoot, Farfara

Hindiवाटपान (Watpan), कोलट्सफुट (Koltsfut)

Tamilகாட்டு துளசி (Kaattu Thulasi), குதிரை குளம்பு பூ (Kuthirai Kulambu Poo)

Teluguకోల్ట్స్ ఫుట్ (Kōlṭs Phūṭ)

Malayalamകുതിരക്കാൽത്താമര (Kuthira-kaal-thamar)

Kannadaಕೊಲ್ತಿ ಕಾಲು ಹೂವು (Kolthi kaalu hoovu)

Sanskritकासनाशिनी (Kasanashini), कासघ्नी (Kasaghni)

Bengaliকোল্ট্স্ফুট (Coltsfoot), बड़ा लॊनिया (Bara Lonia), नुनिया साग (Nunia sag)

Frenchpas-d'âne

Russianмать-и-мачеха (mat'-i-machekha)

Spanishtusilago, fárfara, pie de caballo, uña de caballo

GermanHuflattich, Gemeiner Huflattich

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.