specimen: Tussilago farfara

Coltsfoot

(Tussilago farfara)

 ugh...invasive species. Patches of Coltsfoot accompany the Daffodil as the first blooms of Spring here. After a little research I found that the pappus (silky hairs) of the seed head are often used by goldfinches to line their nests. We spotted a female goldfinch at the bird feeder this past week. =)

Family: Aster Family (Asteraceae), Composite Family (Compositae)

Similar species:
• Sweet Coltsfoot (Petasites frigidus) - Has white flowers, different leaves.
• Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) - Leaves are different.

Non-native, invasive species. Blooms in Spring. Found here along the road, in gravely areas. Used in Europe for medicinal purposes.

image source: http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/coltsf88.html