Botanical name: Tussilago farfara    Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)

Coltsfoot is a perennial herb propagating by seeds and rhizomes. It is often found in colonies of dozens of plants. The flowers, which superficially resemble dandelions, appear in early spring before dandelions appear. The leaves, which resemble a colt's foot in cross section, do not appear usually until after the seeds are set. Thus, the flowers appear on stems with no apparent leaves, and the later appearing leaves then wither and die during the season without seeming to set flowers. The plant is typically 10-30 cm tall. Coltsfoot is found in the Himalayas at altitudes of 2800-3800 m.
Medicinal uses: Coltsfoot has been used medicinally as a cough suppressant. The name tussilago itself means "cough suppressant." The plant has been used historically to treat lung ailments such as asthma as well as various coughs by way of smoking. Crushed flowers supposedly cured skin conditions, and the plant has been consumed as a food product.

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The flower labeled Colt's Foot is ...