Herb: Sweet Coltsfoot


Latin name: Petasites frigidus


Synonyms: Tussilago frigida


Family: Compositae



Medicinal use of Sweet Coltsfoot:

Antispasmodic, poultice. An infusion of the dried leaves has been used in the treatment of colds, head and chest congestion.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
15 cm
(6 inches)

Flowering:
April
to May

Habitat of the herb:

Streamsides, moist woods, bogs and other wet places in N. America.

Edible parts of Sweet Coltsfoot:

Young leaves - raw or cooked. They are mixed with other greens and used as a potherb. The leaves can also be made into a sauerkraut. Young stalks and flower heads - cooked. Roots - cooked. The burnt leaves are used as a salt substitute. The stems and leaves, whilst still green, are rolled up into balls, dried and then placed on top of a very small fire on a rock and burned. A very acceptable condiment for piäole.

Other uses of the herb:

A good ground cover for the wilder areas of the garden. The cotton-like seed heads have been used as a stuffing material for mattresses. The leaves have sometimes been folded into conical containers for collecting fruit. They have also been used to make a temporary funnel.

Propagation of Sweet Coltsfoot:

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe or in early spring. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division succeeds at almost any time of the year. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation of the herb:

Streamsides, moist woods, bogs and other wet places in N. America.

Known hazards of Petasites frigidus:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.