Coltsfoot

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)

Origin/ Introduction:

Coltsfoot is native to Eurasia, this includes parts of northern Africa, India, and Nepal. This species is believed to have been introduced to North America by early settlers for its medicinal properties.

THREATS/IMPACTS 

One single plant can produce thousands of seeds that have high growth rates which allows them to take over the areas they inhabit. They are often found on roadsides and disturbed areas.

IDENTIFICATION:

This is an herbaceous perennial plant that visually resembles a common dandelion plant. Its name corresponds to the shape of the leaf which resembles a hoof. It spreads primarily by their underground rhizomes, and it tolerates different soil types and conditions.

Control/Management:  

Controlling efforts depend on the size of infestation.

Manual Control: 

Hand pulling efforts are effective with small populations but if roots are left in the soil, they may resprout. It’s important to remove all parts of the plant. It may be easier to remove the whole plants when the soil is moist and make sure to pull the plant before it has grown seeds to reduce the chance of further spread.

Chemical Control:

Chemical herbicide is most effective to treat large populations of Coltsfoot. This species has been shown to resist commonly used and selective herbicides such as 2,4-D, dicamba, MCPA, and 2-4DB. A foliar application of 2% solution of glyphosate or triclopyr and water plus a non-ionic surfactant is recommended. All herbicides should be applied according to label instructions. Herbicide treatments should be done when the leaves are fully developed in the summer.

Biological Control: N/A

Get Involved

Aid Early Detection Efforts

Searching for invasive species populations in an effort to detect their presence before their populations become too large to manage is vital to reducing the impacts of invasive species on our natural ecosystems.

Click the link below to learn more about the species we’re enhancing early detection efforts for and to join our invasive species Volunteer Surveillance Network to aid this effort (training will be provided).

Report Invasive Species

NYiMapInvasives is an online, collaborative, GIS-based database and mapping tool that serves as the official invasive species database for New York State.

Click the links below to become familiar with iMap

Sources:

Wildflowers of the Adirondacks: Coltsfoot (Tussilago Farfara). Coltsfoot | Tussilago farfara. (n.d.). https://wildadirondacks.org/adirondack-wildflowers-coltsfoot-tussilago-farfara.html

Wisconsin DNR. (n.d.). Colt’s foot. Colt’s foot | (Tussilago farfara) . https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives/fact/ColtsFoot

SLELO PRISM GOALS

PREVENTION
Prevent the introduction of invasive species into the SLELO PRISM.

EARLY DETECTION & RAPID RESPONSE
Rapidly detect new and recent invaders and eliminate all individuals within a specific area.

COOPERATION
Share resources, including funding personnel, equipment, information, and expertise.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Collect, utilize, and share information regarding surveys, infestations, control methods, monitoring, and research.

CONTROL
Control invasive species infestations by using best management practices, methods and techniques to include: ERADICATION (which is to eliminate all individuals and the seed bank from an area), CONTAINMENT (which is reducing the spread of established infestations from entering an uninfested area) and SUPPRESSION which is to reduce the density but not necessarily the total infested area.

RESTORATION
Develop and implement effective restoration methods for areas that have been degraded by invasive species and where suppression or control has taken place.

EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Increase public awareness and understanding of invasive species.

INNOVATION
Develop and implement innovative technologies that help us to better understand, visualize, alleviate or manage invasive species and their impacts or that serve to strengthen ecosystem function and/or processes.