ExplorePlants

colt's-foot

Tussilago farfara

Colt's-foot is a bright yellow flower that blooms in early spring. Its leaves look like big, fuzzy hands and can be found near roadsides and in fields.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The colt's-foot has bright yellow, dandelion-like flowers that emerge on fuzzy stalks before any leaves appear. Its large, heart-shaped or hoof-shaped green leaves grow later in the season. These leaves often have white, felt-like undersides.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusTussilago
colt's-foot
flowering trait badgespring_blooming trait badgemedicinal trait badgeedible trait badge
colt's-foot

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

26

Interesting facts

After its cheerful yellow flowers fade, they transform into fluffy white seed heads, just like dandelions!

Ancient Romans used its dried leaves to make soothing remedies for coughs and colds.

Colt's-foot is so hardy it can grow in places other plants can't, like disturbed soil or roadsides!

Its scientific name, Tussilago, comes from Latin, meaning 'cough expeller'!

Special abilities

Ability

Winter Warrior

Colt's-foot can push its flowers through frozen ground and snow, becoming one of the first blooms of spring.

Ability

Underground Traveler

Colt's-foot has long, creeping underground stems (rhizomes) that help it spread far and wide, even under tough ground.

Ability

Two-Part Show

Colt's-foot shows its yellow flowers first, then its big leaves grow much later, splitting up its yearly show.

Measurements & details

Height
10-30 cm
Spread
15-40 cm
Flower Size
2-3 cm
Bloom Season
Early spring
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits flowers for early nectar and pollen.

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

An important early pollinator, feeding on its flowers.

parasitizes

Grass and Coltsfoot Rust

Puccinia poarum

A specific fungus that often grows on its leaves.

eats

Garden snail

Helix aspersa

Feeds on its leaves and stems.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch wild plants without asking an adult.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify colt's-foot?

The easiest way to identify colt's-foot is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is colt's-foot?

10-30 cm

How wide does colt's-foot spread?

15-40 cm

How big are the flowers on colt's-foot?

2-3 cm

When does colt's-foot bloom?

Early spring

Is colt's-foot edible?

No

Is colt's-foot toxic?

Mild

What is colt's-foot's lifecycle?

Perennial

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