coltsfoot

Asterales > Asteraceae > Tussilago farfara L.
Synonym(s): colts foot
Coltsfoot is a perennial, herbaceous plant that invades disturbed areas throughout much of the eastern United States. The basal leaves are heart-shaped, slightly toothed and up to 6 in. (15.2 cm) wide. The dandelion-like flowers are bright yellow in color and emerge before the leaves in early spring. Coltsfoot invades moist, open, disturbed areas such as stream banks, ditches and fields. It readily spreads both by seed and rhizomes, allowing it to form large colonies, which can displace native species. Coltsfoot is native to Europe and was probably introduced into the United States by early settlers for medicinal purposes.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

  • Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
    http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/weeds/coltsfoot.pdf - Nov 7, 2006

Selected Images

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Number:5342017
Description: Foliage;
Photographer:Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:1268023
Description: Plant(s); Growing alongside a road. Pike County, KY.
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
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Number:2308055
Description: Feature(s); Spreading Rhizomes
Photographer:Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut
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Number:2308056
Description: Plant(s);

in flower

Photographer:Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5342019
Description: Flower(s);
Photographer:Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5342020
Description: Flower(s);
Photographer:Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5342022
Description: Flower(s);
Photographer:Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5275002
Description: Flower(s);
Photographer:Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5342023
Description: Plant(s);
Photographer:Jan Samanek, State Phytosanitary Administration
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5275001
Description: Fruit(s);
Photographer:Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5275003
Description: Feature(s);

Close-up of Seed Head (fruit)

Photographer:Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut
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Number:1380065
Description: Fruit(s);
Photographer:Chris Evans, River to River CWMA
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Number:5275005
Description: Infestation;
Photographer:Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut
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Number:5309022
Description: Fruit(s);
Photographer:Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
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Number:5309021
Description: Diagram or Graphic; Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 3: 531.
Photographer:USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
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External Links

Invasive Reference(s)

Subject Reference(s)

  • USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. - http://plants.usda.gov/