Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) Perennial. Coltsfoot is an introduction from Europe. It is related to dandelion and can spread just as rampantly. Coltsfoot is one of the earliest plants to bloom in the spring and you can often see them blossoming along road cuts (shows it can tolerate poor soil). It's flower stalks appear before the large, almost circular leaves do. These leaves are where the plant gets it's common name because it somewhat resembles a colt's hoof print. Medicinally, the leaves are smoked to relieve lung ailments. Caution should be used because it contains compounds that can damage the liver. I've seen coltsfoot growing in full sun and part sun, in moist soil and dry. It seems very tolerant of conditions.
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