42 



AMERICAN MEDICINAL LEAVES AND HERBS. 



COLTSFOOT. 



Tussilago furfani L . 



Other common names. — Coughwort, assfoot, horsefool, foalfoot, bull's-foot, horsehoof, 

 colt-herb, clayweed, cleats, do^■e-dock, dummywecd, ginger, gingerroot, hoofs, sowfoot, 

 British tobacco, go wan. 

 Habitat and range. — Coltsfoot has been naturalized in this country from Europe, and 



is found along brooks and 

 in wet places and moiat 

 clayey soil along roadsides 

 from Nova Scotia and New 

 Brunswick to Massachu- 

 setts, New York, and Min- 

 nesota. 



Df.^rription. — In spring 

 the white-woolly, scaly 

 flowering stalks with their 

 yellow blossoms are the 

 first to appear, the leaves 

 not being produced until 

 the seed has formed or at 

 least toward the latter part 

 of the flowering stage. 

 The flowering stalks are 

 several, arising from the 

 root, and are from 3 to 18 

 inches in height, each one 

 bearing at the top a single, 

 large yellow head, remind- 

 ing one of a dandelion, 

 having in the center what 

 are called disk flowers, 

 which are tubular, and 

 surrounded by what are 

 known as ray flowers, 

 which are strap shaped. 

 l^Tien the seed is ripe the head looks somewhat like a dandelion "blow. " The flow- 

 ering heads are erect, after floAvering nodding, and again erect in fruit. The bright- 

 yellow flowers only open in sunshiny weather. They have a honeylike odor. 



The leaves, as already stated, apjjear when the flowers are almost through blossoming, 

 or even afterwards. They are large, 3 to 7 inches wide, almost round or heart shaped in 

 outline, or, according to some of the names applied to it, shaped like a horse's hoof; 

 the margins are slightly lol)ed and shar])ly toothed. The upper surface is smooth and 

 green, while the lower is white willi den.'^ely matted woolly hairs. All the leaves arise 

 from the root and are borne on long, erect stalks. (Fig. 34 .) 



Collection, prices, and uses. — All jiarts of coltsfoot are active, but the leaves are 

 mostly employed; they should be collected in June or July, or about the time when 

 they are nearly full size. "WTien dry, they break very readily. Collectors are paid 

 about 8i cents a pound. 



Coltsfoot leaAes form a popular remedy in coughs and other affections of the chest 

 and throat, having a soothing effect on irritated mucous membranes. 

 The flowers are also used; likewise the root. 

 219 



Fig. 34. 



-Coltsfoot (Tiisxilaqo far/ara), plant showinir root, Iravrs, 

 and flowers. 



