Tussilago fartara
Family: Asteraceae

This hardy perennial is generally cultivated only by herb specialists. It is used in herbal tobacco and is reputed to relieve coughs, bronchitis and asthma. The flowers are used as an eye bath for complaints like conjunctivitis, and the leaves are rich in Vitamin C.

Tussilago farfara has a thick, white, creeping rhizome. The yellow, spring flowers precede the leaves and are followed by a ball of down from which seeds are dispersed. The fragrant, leathery leaves are covered with down on the undersides. Often found growing wild in eastern North America, flowers are picked in early spring, leaves in summer. Gardeners generally consider coltsfoot a weed.

Cultivation

This hardy plant will grow in any average soil but likes a cool climate.

Climate

Zone 5.