Coltsfoot

Coltsfoot

Tussilago farfara

Sunflower or Aster Family -- Asteraceae

Flowerheads, about 1 inch wide, are composed of a layered ring of narrow ray flowers surrounding disk flowers and appear prior to the leaves. Leaves 2 to 7 inches long, basal, broad, heart-shaped, obscurely toothed and pale below. (Photographed at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden - April 24th)

In early spring, a stout, upright stem with reddish-green leaf-like scales bears a single yellow flowerhead.

� Pathology Images Inc. 2002 2002