Coltsfoot.Tussilago Farfara.
Found in moist meadows, on banks, and brooksides in May.
The flowers and leaves grow from the root, about 4 or 6 inches high.
The leaf appears some time after the flowers; it is large, rounding, with a heart-shaped base, the margin slightly broken by small rounded points, and with strong ribs radiating from the base; it is exceptionally fine in texture, and the upper side is possessed of a silky smoothness, the lower side being soft woolly (the new leaves are very woolly). They grow from the root on stout, half-round stems, that are dull purplish-red in color, and often covered with a loose white wool; the leaves are a fine cool green, silvery beneath.
The small flowers are grouped in dandelion-like heads, with many fine fringy rays; all colored alike a bright yellow. The head is held in a deep, leafy cup that is green strongly tinged with reddish-brown; it grows on a stout, grooved, roughish stem, which bears several, small, brownish scales; it rises from the ground before the leaves.
The Coltsfoot, introduced from England, has become thoroughly naturalized here. Its blossoms bear a certain superficial resemblance to the Dandelion, though really different in habits of growth. The leaves are truly decorative, growing thickly in large spaces, and forming a mosaic of green tiles close down to the brookâs edge.