It’s blooming now along roadsides where it grows aggressively. Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara). A plant that is native to Europe and parts of western and central Asia.
It is a plant that has flowers that resemble Dandelions, though if you’re quite familiar with Dandelions you’ll know that this is not one.
The leaves are totally different from Dandelion leaves, being roundish, or heart shaped, much like a Violet leaf with a slightly toothed edge. These leaves don’t even appear until the blooms are fading. You may spot some green leaves in this image, above. They are definitely Dandelion leaves. The leaves of the Coltsfoot have not emerged yet. They’re waiting for those flowers to fade.
Each stem, scaly, and bracted, bears a single flower.
The Coltsfoot seedheads too, resemble that of the Dandelion, though the seeds of the Coltsfoot are much more dense, and the tips of fluff have a coppery color which the Dandelion doesn’t have.
On the Internet I’m seeing many claims of medicinal qualities of Coltsfoot but along with those claims I am seeing statements that all parts of the plant contain alkaloids that are toxic to the liver. You’ll want to find something safer to use as a medicine.
