Coltsfoot
Tussilago farfara L.
Tussilago farfara, commonly known as coltsfoot, is a plant in the tribe Senecioneae in the family Asteraceae, native to Europe and parts of western and central Asia.
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Tussilago farfara, commonly known as coltsfoot, is a plant in the tribe Senecioneae in the family Asteraceae, native to Europe and parts of western and central Asia. The name "tussilago" is derived from the Latin tussis, meaning cough, and ago, meaning to cast or to act on. It has had uses in traditional medicine, but the discovery of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the plant has resulted in liver health concerns.
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026
Tussilago farfara is the only accepted species in the genus Tussilago, although more than two dozen other species have at one time or another been considered part of this group. Most of them are now regarded as members of other genera (Chaptalia, Chevreulia, Farfugium, Homogyne, Leibnitzia, Petasites, Senecio).
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026
Life cycle
From seed to productRhizome planting
One- to two-year-old **rhizomes** are cut into 2–3-bud setts, treated against rot and planted where drainage is good.
Sprouting
The rhizome roots down and shoots push through the soil; the plant begins photosynthesising and storing reserves.
Growth & flowering
In season the plant opens **yellow flowers before the leaves, February–April**, adding colour and nectar for insects.
New rhizomes & harvest
After a full growing season the plant retreats to its storage organ; **flower buds gathered as they open, February–April**.
Uses
- It has had uses in traditional medicine, but the discovery of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the plant has resulted in liver health concerns.
Habitat & conservation
Tussilago farfara, commonly known as coltsfoot, is a plant in the tribe Senecioneae in the family Asteraceae, native to Europe and parts of western and central Asia.
Conservation
Coltsfoot has not been assessed by the IUCN Red List (NE). As a medicinal plant, it benefits from sustainable collection and propagation to protect wild genetic resources.
References
- 1Wikipedia – Tussilago — Wikipedia,
- 2Kew POWO – Tussilago farfara — Plants of the World Online (Kew),
- 3Wikidata – Q26302 — Wikidata,