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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Coltsfoot
| image = tussilagofarfara.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asterales]]
| familia = [[Asteraceae]]
| genus = ''[[Tussilago]]''
| species = '''''T. farfara'''''
| binomial = ''Tussilago farfara''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''Coltsfoot''' (''Tussilago farfara'') is a plant in the family [[Asteraceae]].
It has been used medicinally as a [[cough suppressant]]. The name "tussilago" itself means "cough suppressant." The plant has been used since at least historical times to treat lung ailments such as [[asthma]] as well as various coughs by way of smoking. Crushed flowers supposedly cured skin conditions, and the plant has been consumed as a food item.
Coltsfoot is a [[Perennial plant|perennial]] [[herbaceous]] plant that spreads by [[seed]]s and [[rhizome]]s. ''Tussilago'' is often found in colonies of dozens of plants. The flowers, which superficially resemble [[dandelion]]s, appear in early spring before dandelions. Leaves do not appear usually until after the seeds are set. The plant is typically between 10 - 30cm.
Coltsfoot is native to several locations in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. It is also a common plant in [[North America]] and [[South America]] where it has been introduced, most likely by settlers as a medicinal item. The plant is often found in waste and disturbed places and along roadsides and paths. In some areas it is considered an [[invasive species]].
Coltsfoot is used as a food plant by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[Gothic (moth)|The Gothic]] and [[Small Angle Shades]]. The Coltsfoot is also worked by the honey bee (apis mellifera mellifera), this species provided a lot of pollen for the honey bee.
Other common names include Ass's foot, Bull's foot, Butterbur, Coughwort, Farfara, Foal's foot, Foalswort, Horse Foot and Winter heliotrope.
== External links ==
* [http://www.invasive.org/browse/subject.cfm?sub=6564 Coltsfoot information]
* [http://fxcuisine.com/default.asp?Display=74 Coltsfoot Flowers Sorbet]
== References ==
<references/>
<gallery>
Image:Coltsfoot close-up aka.jpg|Close-up of an inflorescence
Image:Planta prundul dambovitei.jpg|Foliage
Image:Tussilago farfara.JPG|A group of plants in bloom
</gallery>
{{commons|Tussilago farfara}}
[[Category:Asteraceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Alpine flora]]
[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
[[Category:Flora of Estonia]]
[[Category:Flora of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Invasive plant species]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Coltsfoot
| image = tussilagofarfara.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asterales]]
| familia = [[Asteraceae]]
| genus = ''[[Tussilago]]''
| species = '''''T. farfara'''''
| binomial = ''Tussilago farfara''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''Coltsfoot''' (''Tussilago farfara'') is a plant in the family [[Asteraceae]].
It has been used medicinally as a [[cough suppressant]]. The name "tussilago" itself means "cough suppressant." The plant has been used since at least historical times to treat lung ailments such as [[asthma]] as well as various coughs by way of smoking. Crushed flowers supposedly cured skin conditions, and the plant has been consumed as a food item.
Coltsfoot is a [[Perennial plant|perennial]] [[herbaceous]] plant that spreads by [[seed]]s and [[rhizome]]s. ''Tussilago'' is often found in colonies of dozens of plants. The flowers, which superficially resemble [[dandelion]]s, appear in early spring before dandelions. Leaves do not appear usually until after the seeds are set. The plant is typically between 10 - 30cm.
Coltsfoot is native to several locations in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. It is also a common plant in [[North America]] and [[South America]] where it has been introduced, most likely by settlers as a medicinal item. The plant is often found in waste and disturbed places and along roadsides and paths. In some areas it is considered an [[invasive species]].
Coltsfoot is used as a food plant by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[Gothic (moth)|The Gothic]] and [[Small Angle Shades]]. The Coltsfoot is also worked by the honey bee (apis mellifera mellifera), this species provided a lot of pollen for the honey bee.
Other common names include Ass's foot, Bull's foot, Butterbur, Coughwort, Farfara, Foal's foot, Foalswort, Horse Foot and Winter heliotrope.
== External links ==
* [http://www.invasive.org/browse/subject.cfm?sub=6564 Coltsfoot information]
* [http://fxcuisine.com/default.asp?Display=74 Coltsfoot Flowers Sorbet]
== References ==
<references/>
<gallery>
Image:Coltsfoot close-up aka.jpg|Close-up of an inflorescence
Image:Planta prundul dambovitei.jpg|Foliage
Image:Tussilago farfara.JPG|A group of plants in bloom
</gallery>
{{commons|Tussilago farfara}}
[[Category:Asteraceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Alpine flora]]
[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
[[Category:Flora of Estonia]]
[[Category:Flora of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Invasive plant species]]