42 AMERICAN MEDICINAL LEAVES AND HERBS. 
COLTSFOOT. 
Tussilago farfara Li. 
Other common names.—Coughwort, assfoot, horsefoot, foalfoot, bull’s-foot, horsehoof, 
colt-herb, clayweed, cleats, dove-dock, dummyweed, ginger, gingerroot, hoofs, sowfoot, 
British tobacco, gowan. 
Habitat and range.—Coltstoot has been naturalized in this country from Europe, and 
is found along brooks and 
in wet places and moist 
clayey soil along roadsides 
from Nova Scotia and New 
Brunswick to Massachu- 
setts, New York, and Min- 
nesota. 
Description.—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 
Fic. 34.—Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), plant showing root, leaves, surrounded by what are 
and flowers. known as ray flowers, 
which are strap shaped. 
When the seed is ripe the head looks somewhat like a dandelion “‘blow.” The flow- 
ering heads are erect, after flowering 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, appear when the flowers are almost through blossoming, 
or even afterwards. They are large, 3 to7 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 lobed and sharply toothed. The upper surface is smooth and 
green, while the lower is white with densely matted woolly hairs. All the leaves arise 
from the root and are borne on long, erect stalks. (Fig. 34.) 
Collection, prices, and uses.—All parts 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. When dry, they break very readily. Collectors are paid 
about 34 cents a pound. 
Coltsfoot leaves 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. 
PA) 
