Coltsfoot

Short Description

Coltsfoot can grow to a height of 30 cm.

The leaves have long stalks and grow close to the ground (basal). They are heart- to hoof-shaped, with roughly serrated margins and undersides with felt-like white hairs.

The flower stalks are unbranched and covered in reddish hairy scaly leaves. They are initially upright and droop while the fruit is ripening.

The flower heads appear in spring before the leaves. At first glance, the flower head can be mistaken for the flower itself. The pseudanthium (“false flower”) consists of numerous individual yellow ray and tubular florets.

The seeds are small nut fruits with a ring of feathery hairs.

In the city

In towns, coltsfoot can be found mainly on stony soil, e.g. building sites, piles of earth, road verges and sand pits. It prefers wet-dry, warm sites on fresh soil.

As a well-known medicinal plant, coltsfoot is still being gathered today. However, this must be strongly advised against. Only particular species of this plant are licensed as medicinal plants, as the active substance in wild flowers are associated with additional harmful effects.