Asteraceae: Tussilago farfara L.
(coltsfoot)
Coltsfoot is an introduced species from Eurasia and North Africa and can be
found in such disturbed areas as roadsides, paths and alongside brooks. The
flowers appear in early spring. Leaves appear after flowers have gone to seed. The flowering stem bears pink scales and is covered in white hairs. The inflorescence of coltsfoot is a capitulum typical of the family Asteraceae. Strap-shaped pistillate (female) flowers are arranged in
several rows around the periphery of the inflorescence (ray flowers);
staminate (male) flowers are few and are found in the center of the
inflorescence (disc flowers). Rounded-cordate, toothed leaves are
woolly underneath and become quite large later in the season.
Sources | Selected Web Resources | Line Drawing
Click on images for larger versions.
| May 4, 2008. Lunenburg County: Crouse Settlement Road. Photographer: Ocotillo. | |
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| May 31, 2007. Halifax County: off of Purcells Cove Road. Photographer: JackPine. | |
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 Coltsfoot was an early colonizer of this recently excavated, sloping ground. Yellow flowers are those of dandelion; coltsfoot has gone to seed, |
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Selected Web Resources
- Taxonomic Status (ITIS) Copy the species name above and paste it into a form on this ITIS Canada page to confirm the nomenclature and list synonyms.
- NatureServe Explorer Copy the species name above and paste it into a form on this page to view a map of its distribution within North America and its conservation status by province and state.
Page posted 2 Feb. 2009. Modified 3 Feb. 2009.
Copyright © Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society & Photographers.