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Colt's-foot

©Katrina Martin/2020VISION

Colt's-foot

©Philip Precey

Colt's-foot

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Scientific name: Tussilago farfara
Looking like a short Dandelion, but with a much rounder middle, Colt's-foot is a 'weed' of waste ground and field edges that brightens up early spring with its sunshine-yellow flower heads.

Top facts

Category

Stats

Height: up to 15cm

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

February to April

About

A common and creeping perennial of bare, damp or disturbed ground, Colt's-foot can be found on waste ground, field edges and roadside verges. Sun-yellow, daisy-like, composite flower heads (made up to lots of tiny flowers) appear as early as February, and well before the hoof-shaped leaves (hence the common name). Colt's-foot continues to brighten up rough ground until April.

What to look for

Colt's-foot has large, yellow flower heads, similar to those of the Common Dandelion and Cat's-ears, but their prominent, round middles give the identity of this plant away. Its flowers are borne on scaly stems and the leaves are rounded or heart-shaped.

Where to find

Widespread.

Habitats

Did you know?

The fact that the flowers of Colt's-foot appear before the leaves do has led to one of its other common names: 'Son-before-father'.