Who can spot them first?

Coltsfoot,  is one of our earliest flowers

If your lawn or garden is stony, chances are you’re already acquainted with Coltsfoot. Bright yellow flower-heads appear on warm roadsides and sidewalks as early as March. This year that might be a major botanical feat, but one can hope. Soft scalloped leaves follow later in April.

It is named for the leaves which resemble the footprints of young horses. The plant is also familiar to those old enough to remember Adams cough drops sold in the small foil rolls. They were available in Red Cherry or Black Licorice flavours. Primary ingredient aside from sugar, was an extract of these leaves.

Coltsfoot is still dried for herbal teas to soothe coughs, colds and congestion. Its Latin name,Tussilago farfara comes from tussis, cough. For those who would prefer not to have a lawn of these green felted leaves, increasing the loam and fertility levels will render soil less hospitable to colonies of coltsfoot. 

Coltsfoot, Tussilago farfara, by Ross Hall

Coltsfoot leaves, photo by Sean Blaney