Coltsfoot / Podbjel

Description:

Coltsfoot is a perennial herbaceous plant that spreads by seeds and rhizomes. Tussilago is often found in colonies of dozens of plants. The flowers, which superficially resemble dandelions, appear in early spring before dandelions appear. The leaves, which resemble a colt's foot in cross section, do not appear usually until after the seeds are set. Thus, the flowers appear on stems with no apparent leaves, and the later appearing leaves then wither and die during the season without seeming to set flowers. Although plant is usually 10 - 30 cm in height, those on the picture were somewhere under 10 cm.

Habitat:

Coltsfoot is native to several locations in Europe and Asia.The plant is often found in waste and disturbed places and along roadsides and paths. In some areas it is considered an invasive species.

Notes:

Coltsfoot has been used in herbal medicine and has been consumed as a food product with some confectionery products, such as Coltsfoot Rock.