Coltsfoot – first flower of spring
Although other flowers quickly follow, the first flower to bloom along our New Brunswick roads is Coltsfoot (Tussilago Farfara L.). Its bright yellow flowers are often mistaken for Dandelion, but Coltsfoot is recognised by a quick check for the leaves … Coltsfoot blooms before its leaves appear.
~
~
The yellow blooms of Tussilago form large patches in waste areas, beside brooks and roads, and on damp hillsides. Its dandelion-like flowers are borne on scaly, leafless stems. Later, the large, woolly leaves appear. Other names for the plant are Son-before-the-Father, which refers to the appearance of flowers before the leaves, and pas-d’âne (literally donkey-steps). The scientific names are from the Latin tussis, meaning a cough and referring to the European use of the plant as a remedy for such ailments, and the Latin word for coltsfoot, farfarus. The plant was named by Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who established the present day system of naming plants.
~
~
Coltsfoot
Tussilago Farfara L.
~
Gold-
splashed beside the road
like prints
of a frisky colt’s feet
~
at first glance-
an early dandelion!
but-
too early
stem scaly
no leaves below the bloom
no perfume.
~
Coltsfoot,
Son-before-the-Father
(flowers before the leaves).
Introduced from
far away.
~
Old wives say
boiled greens
will ease
a cough.
~
Long ago
Tussilago
sprang from where
a burro trod
among the palms
(pas-d’ane).
~
~
~
Poem published as: ‘Coltsfoot’, Winter 1993, The Antigonish Review 92:76-77.
Copyright 2018 Jane Tims
nichepoetryandprose 
so beautiful that you managed to capture the essence of this flower in black and white
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maureen Sudlow
May 4, 2018 at 7:25 pm
Thanks. Do you have Coltsfoot in NZ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
jane tims
May 5, 2018 at 7:41 pm
We do, but it is quite rare, and is listed as a pest plant because of its aggressive habit. It came to New Zealand with the early Chinese goldminers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maureen Sudlow
May 5, 2018 at 9:30 pm
You’ve really captured the feel of this wee plant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
melissabluefineart
May 4, 2018 at 9:34 am
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
jane tims
May 5, 2018 at 7:45 pm