04/26/2021
Sunday Shares #40
Today’s Being of the Day: Coltsfoot
Scientific name: Tussilago farfara
Common name: Coltsfoot a.k.a Ass’s foot, Coughwort, Bull’s foot, Son-before-father, Horse foot
A species of Tussilago
Genus: Tussilago
Family: Asteraceae
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Kingdom: Plantae
Domain: Eukaryota
Symbolism: Love, Visions
Native to Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia, this low-growing perennial herb was introduced in Canada in the 1920s. Resistant to the most commonly used pesticides, it’s range can expand, by its rhizomes and seeds, making it a problematic plant on farms if not dealt with at its first appearance.
Indigenous call this plant Son-before-father because its flowers emerge in the spring before its leaves do. Colt’s foot-shaped leaves do not reach full density until June/July.
This edible and medicinal herb is used in treating inflammation and respiratory problems such as bronchitis, asthma and whooping cough. Parts of the plant contain alkaloids that can damage the liver. Flower buds and young leaves are known to be consumed raw or cooked.
Coughwort’s yellow gold inflorescence of 2.5-3 cm resembles dandelion flowers, although quite smaller, and are commonly mistaken for it. The leaves are green, grey and silver coloured. The topside of the leaf is smooth and waxy while the underside is covered with white hairs. Leaf stems and large leaf veins are purple in colour.
Sources:
PictureThis App
Seek App
Omafra.gov.on.ca
Pfaf.org
@ Montreal, Quebec