This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Tussilago farfara
  • Coltsfoot

a perennial member of the Tussilago genus in the family Compositae.

Tussilago-farfara-plant.jpg
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Earth stabiliser
    Earth stabiliser
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline,very alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Tussilago farfara has 4 edible uses listed
Tussilago farfara has 4 material uses listed
Tussilago farfara has 10 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The plant contains traces of liver-affecting pyrrolizidine alkaloids and is potentially toxic in large doses[1]. These alkaloids have not proved toxic at low dosages in tests and there is no suggestion that this plant should not be used medicinally[2].

Edible uses

Notes

Flower buds and young flowers - raw or cooked[3][4]. A pleasant aniseed flavour[K], they add a distinctive aromatic flavour to salads[5].

Young leaves - raw or cooked[5][3][4]. They can be used in salads, added to soups, or cooked as a vegetable[2]. The leaves have a bitter taste unless they are washed after being boiled[6]. An aromatic tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves and flowers[4]. It has a liquorice-like flavour[2]. The dried and burnt leaves are used as a salt substitute[7][4].

The slender rootstock is candied in sugar syrup[4].

Flowers

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Unknown part

Salt
Tea

Material uses

The soft down on the underside of the leaves is used as a stuffing material[8][9]. When wrapped in a rag, dipped in saltpetre and dried in the sun it makes an excellent tinder[10].

Plants have an extensive root system and are used to stabilize banks[11].

The leaves are a valuable addition to the compost heap[11].

Unknown part

Compost
Oil
Stuffing
Tinder

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

An effective demulcent and expectorant herb, coltsfoot is one of the most popular European remedies for the treatment of a wide range of chest complaints[12]. It is widely available in health food shops. The leaves are commonly used in Europe, though the flowering stems (which contain higher levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids) are preferred in China[12]. They are rich in mucilage and are the main parts used, though the root is also sometimes employed[10][13]. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids have a toxic effect upon the liver, but are largely destroyed when the plant is boiled to make a decoction[12]. Some caution should be employed in the use of this remedy - the flowers should not be used except under professional supervision, the leaves should not be used for more than 4 - 6 weeks at a time, the herb should not be taken whilst pregnant or breast-feeding and it should not be given to children under the age of six[12].

Modern research has shown that extracts of the whole plant can increase immune resistance[12]. In a Chinese trial 75% of patients suffering from bronchial asthma showed some improvement after treatment with this plant, though the anti-asthmatic effect was short-lived[12]. The leaves are harvested in June and early July, the flowers are harvested when fully open and the root is harvested in the autumn. All can be dried and used as required[10]. The plant is antitussive, astringent, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, stimulant and tonic. It is widely used in the treatment of coughs and respiratory problems[10][14][5][15][16][9][17][18][19] and is often candied so that it can be sucked as a sweet[10]. The plant is of particular use in the treatment of chronic emphysema and silicosis, helping to relieve the persistent cough associated with these conditions[13]. Coltsfoot is particularly effective when used in combination with liquorice (Glycyrrhiza species), thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and wild cherry (Prunus serotina)[12]. A poultice of the flowers has a soothing effect on a range of skin disorders including eczema, ulcers, sores, bites and inflammations[14][2].

A bitter, tonic and diaphoretic preparation can be obtained from the root[14].

Unknown part

Antitussive
Astringent
Bitter
Demulcent
Diaphoretic
Emollient
Expectorant
Skin
Stimulant
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Earth stabiliser

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - the plant does not usually require help with spreading itself around, but if required the seed can be sown in situ in early spring or autumn. Division of the roots is very easy and succeeds at almost any time in the year. The divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Tussilago farfara. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils when grown in full sun[20]. It prefers a moist neutral to alkaline soil and will also succeed in partial shade[2].

Plants are hardy to about -29°c[2].

Coltsfoot is a very tough plant that is more than capable of looking after itself. When well sited its roots will spread very freely sending up new shoots at some distance from the clump even if growing amongst dense weed competition[K]. This can make it a problem weed in gardens[11], so either choose your site with care or find some means of restraining it such as by planting in a large tub that is buried in the ground[K]. The rhizomes can lay dormant in the soil for many years, emerging when the soil is disturbed[11].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Tussilago farfara. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Tussilago farfara.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Tussilago farfara
Genus
Tussilago
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4][5][2][6][7]
Medicinal uses
[12][10][13][14][5][15][16][9][17][18][19][2]
Material uses & Functions
[8][9][10][11]
Botanic
[21][11]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
  • Flowers (Unknown use)
  • Leaves (Unknown use)
  • Unknown part (Salt)
  • Unknown part (Tea)
Material uses
  • Unknown part (Compost)
  • Unknown part (Oil)
  • Unknown part (Stuffing)
  • Unknown part (Tinder)
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Antitussive)
  • Unknown part (Astringent)
  • Unknown part (Bitter)
  • Unknown part (Demulcent)
  • Unknown part (Diaphoretic)
  • Unknown part (Emollient)
  • Unknown part (Expectorant)
  • Unknown part (Skin)
  • Unknown part (Stimulant)
  • Unknown part (Tonic)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Earth stabiliser
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
0.22 x 1 meters
Fertility
self fertile
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Self
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite











References

  1. ? Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.7 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.5 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.4 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books ISBN 0-394-72811-4 (1979-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden. ()
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.512.612.7 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.2 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.114.214.3 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.1 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
  18. ? 18.018.1 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
  19. ? 19.019.1 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
  20. ? Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
  21. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-17


Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Tussilago_farfara&oldid=81447"