Coltsfoot

A perennial with bright yellow blossoms that appear very similar to a dandelion and are one of the first to appear in early spring. Blossoms are unusual in that they bloom and die even before the appearance of leaves. Named after the hoof shaped appearance of its leaves, with a smooth waxy looking surface and a white woolly underside. Edible flowers and fresh young leaves can be tossed in a salad or dried to make tea. Medicinally, this herb is has been used for coughs and respiratory conditions, as it is an expectorant, antitussive, antispasmodic and anticatarrhal remedy. Concern presents with the hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids present within the plant. Height 30cm.