Coltsfoot - Tussilago farfara

My first wildflower of the spring!

A perennial, herbaceous plant whose flowers resemble a dandelion. Flowers bloom on leafless stems with the leaves appearing later.

The genus name comes from the Latin word "tussis" (cough), which alludes to the plant's reputation as a treatment for coughs. The leaves and flowers of this plant are still used in herbal medicine as an expectorant. However, it has been found to contain traces of liver affecting pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which may be toxic in large doses.

Habitat: Growing in a stream next to a bog. It's invasive and prohibited where I live in CT. I found this colony just over the border in New York.