Scientific Name

Tussilago farfara

Common Name

Coltsfoot, Coughplant. Other: Assfoot, Baccyplant, Bulls, Clate, Cowheave, Dummy weed, Tushalan, Yellow trumpet.

Type

Herbaceous perennial

Description

1 inch flowers appear in spring before leaves After pollination leaves emerge. Black fruits hen ripen. Deep rooting, creeping rhizome.

Habitat

Arable, wasteground, banks, boulderclay, disturbed ground.

Folklore

Used by Romans and Scots to cure coughs. Also substitute for tobacco. Used as tinder.

Soil Type

Heavy Chalky clay

Soil Fertility

Fertile

Soil Moisture

Dry

Soil pH

Acid

Sunlight

Full sun

Success

Deep rooting, wind dispersed seeds. Rhizomes spreading. Pollinated by bees. Wholly hairs protect from heat.

Importance

Troublesome on heavy soils

Cultural Control

(1.5) (2.7)

Chemical Control

(3.3.2) for large infestations, or (3.2.3) If under trees use (3.1.1a)