Herb: Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot


Latin name: Petasites hyperboreus


Synonyms: Petasites frigidus nivalis


Family: Compositae



Medicinal use of Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot:

Antispasmodic, poultice, salve. An infusion of the dried, stored 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:

Meadows, swampy places and moist woods.

Edible parts of Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot:

Young leaves - cooked. A felt-like texture. Young stalks and flower heads - 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:

The cotton-like seed heads have been used as a stuffing material in mattresses etc. The leaves have been used to make temporary cone-shaped containers for picking fruit. The leaves have occasionally been used to form makeshift funnels.

Propagation of Arctic 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:

Meadows, swampy places and moist woods.

Known hazards of Petasites hyperboreus:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.