| Actual Image
Son-before-father (34)
Shoot_Score
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 445 W: 303 N: 669]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (2370) | ... aka Spring has sprung !!!
Just a few weeks ago we still has a blast of WINTER, when we had snow over Easter, this past week we still had frost with white roofs in the morning, but here we are. In favourable spots, such as southern exposure of roadside shoulders we find the socalled "Son-before-father"... one heck of a brave flower, for it may snow yet.
The reason it is called Son-before-father, is that it flowers before any leaves are shown...
Family: Daisy Family (Compositae) Latin name: Tussilago farfara
Common Names: ass's foot, bullsfoot, butterbur, clayweed, cleats, coltsfoot, colt-herb, coughwort, donnhove, dovedock, dummyweed, fieldhove, foalfoot, foalswort, ginger, ginger root, hallfoot, hoofs, horsefoot, horsehoof, son-before-father, sowfoot.
Origin and Distribution: Coltsfoot is a native of northern Europe and Asia that was brought to North America by early settlers. Coltsfoot is adapted to poor soils and will grow on almost any unattended or denuded area including roadsides, pastures, open forests, stream banks, drainage ditches, and strip-mining cuts. The species prefers wet, clay soils and grows well in cool climates. Although it tolerates full sun, it grows best in part shade.
More on this webpage ...
Facts and Folklore:
*** Scottish Highlanders used the hairy tufts from the seeds as mattress stuffing.
*** The genus name 'Tussilago' is derived from the Latin word "tussis" meaning 'cough' for which the plant is supposed to provide a cure.
*** It once served a number of medicinal uses. Leaves and roots were dried, ground, or boiled and used to make teas, candies, and tobaccos. However, recent studies in Japan found that coltsfoot flowers cause tumors in rats.
PS The common name Coltsfoot becomes apparent when the blossoms are gone, and only the leaves are shown. The flowers are often mistaken for dandelions. I trust that my shot here - of the Son-before-father in its common habitat - clearly shows it to be the daisy {aster} family.
Anything unusual??? |
|
