Coltsfoot
Tussilago farfara, family Asteraceae
A yellow spring-flowering herb once used in traditional remedies
Coltsfoot is a small perennial herb with yellow, dandelion-like flowers that bloom early in spring. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, it spreads by seeds and rhizomes and is often found along roadsides and disturbed ground. Its leaves appear after flowering and have a shape said to resemble a colt’s hoof. Coltsfoot has a history of use in traditional medicine, but contains toxic compounds.
- Coltsfoot flowers appear before its leaves in early spring.
- It is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and grows in disturbed soils.
- The plant contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
- Coltsfoot was once widely used in traditional medicine for coughs.
- A non-toxic variety called 'Wien' was developed in Austria and Germany.
What does Coltsfoot look like?
Coltsfoot is a low-growing perennial herb, usually 5–15 cm tall. Its yellow flower heads look much like small dandelions and appear on scaly, leafless stems in early spring, often before most other plants bloom. The leaves, which come out after the flowers have faded, are broad with angular teeth and are said to resemble the shape of a young horse’s hoof. The plant often forms dense colonies.
Where does Coltsfoot come from?
Coltsfoot is native to a wide area including Europe, western and central Asia, and North Africa. It has also been introduced to North and South America, likely by settlers who valued its early blooms and traditional medicinal uses. The plant thrives in disturbed soils, roadsides, and waste places. Its name comes from the shape of its leaves, and it has been known by many names in different languages and regions.
When and how Coltsfoot blooms
Coltsfoot blooms early in spring, with flowers appearing before the leaves. It spreads both by wind-borne seeds and by creeping underground rhizomes, allowing it to form large patches. The plant prefers open, disturbed ground and is often found along paths and roads. It is not typically grown in gardens, but may be gathered from the wild.
How Coltsfoot is used
Traditionally, coltsfoot was used in herbal medicine, especially for coughs and respiratory issues, and sometimes as a food ingredient or in sweets like Coltsfoot Rock. In Austria, its leaves were used in teas, syrups, or applied externally. However, the plant contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which has led to health concerns and bans in some countries.
Kinds of Coltsfoot
Tussilago farfara is the only widely recognized species in its genus, though many similar plants were once grouped with it. A special variety called 'Wien' was developed in Austria and Germany to be free of toxic alkaloids. Coltsfoot is sometimes confused with other plants like Petasites species, which can lead to mistaken identity.
What Coltsfoot means
Coltsfoot’s early yellow flowers are a sign of spring in many regions. Its use in traditional medicine is reflected in its Latin and Greek names, both referring to cough relief. The plant is also visited by honeybees for its early pollen and nectar. Due to its toxicity, its use is now restricted or banned in some countries.
Questions people ask about Coltsfoot
Where does coltsfoot come from?
Coltsfoot is native to Europe, western and central Asia, and North Africa. It has also been introduced to North and South America, often found along roadsides and disturbed ground.
What does coltsfoot look like?
Coltsfoot is a small plant with yellow, dandelion-like flowers that bloom on leafless stems in early spring. Its broad, toothed leaves appear after flowering and are shaped like a colt’s hoof.
What was coltsfoot used for?
Coltsfoot was traditionally used in herbal medicine, especially for coughs and respiratory issues, and sometimes in sweets. However, it contains toxic compounds and its use is now restricted in some places.
Is coltsfoot safe to use?
Coltsfoot contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be harmful to the liver. Some countries have banned its sale, and special non-toxic varieties have been developed.
What does coltsfoot symbolize?
Coltsfoot’s early bloom is often seen as a sign of spring. Its name and traditional uses are linked to relief from coughs, as reflected in its Latin and Greek names.
Good reading and sources
- Tussilago farfaraUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Tussilago", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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