Plant Details

Tussilago farfara

Coltsfoot

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Tussilago farfara.

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General Information

Scientific name: Tussilago farfara
Also known as: Coltsfoot

Plant Properties

Layer: Herbaceous, Ground cover
Size: Small
Height: 0.20 m
Width: 1.00 m
Growth Rate: Fast
Leaf: None

Growth conditions

USDA Hardiness: 4-8
Soil Moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun, Partial shade

Usage properties

Edible part:
Flowers, Leaves
Edibility:
(3)
Medicinal:
(3)
Features:
None

Description

The buds and young flowers of this plant can be eaten both raw and cooked, and have a pleasant anise flavor that is delicious in salads. The young leaves can also be eaten raw or cooked and are suitable for salads, soups, or cooked as a vegetable. Note that the leaves have a bitter taste until they are rinsed after cooking. Fresh or dried leaves and flowers can be used to make aromatic tea with a licorice-like taste. The dried and burnt leaves can serve as a salt substitute. Additionally, the slender stem can be candied in sugar syrup.

Harvest Data

Start Harvest: 01/03
End of Harvest: 30/04