Coltsfoot

Tussilago farfara

infusion · flower

Yellow late-winter flowers and broad downy leaves, steeped as a tea all over Europe, and once made into sweets.

Origin

Europe, Asia and North Africa

Where to find it

On clay banks, embankments and roadsides, among the first flowers of the year; in China, its dried buds are sold in herbal shops.

Season (United States)

February to April

Preparation

Only now and then: it contains alkaloids toxic to the liver; avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding and in children.

Did you know?

Its flowers come out before its leaves: people long thought they were two different plants.