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Colt's-foot

Tussilago farfara

Found in roadsides, especially gravelly or shaly roadbanks or ditches, streamside gravel bars, disturbed ground. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

-55
Severe harm

Not native to West Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 59%

Height
Coltsfoot is a rhizomatous perennial forb [36,43,57] that is 2 to 20 inches tall [36,43].
Light
Partial shade, Full sun
Soil moisture
Dry to wet

Do not plant. Listed invasive in West Virginia.

At a glance

Bloom
March to June

Not yet recorded · Spread · Life cycle · Leaves

Recorded in 18 West Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

Streams, rivers and their banks

Flowing water and its banks, bars and rocky shoals.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

—CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including WV
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Asteraceae

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Colt's foot; Coltsfoot

Conservation status

West Virginia rankSNA
Global rankGNR
WV statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources