Tussilago farfara aka Coltsfoot

Tussilago farfara, commonly known as coltsfoot, is a plant in the tribe Senecioneae in the family Asteraceae. Native to Europe and parts of western and central Asia, this perennial herbaceous groundcover is recognized for its bright yellow, fragrant flowers that resemble a tufty dandelion. The name "tussilago" stems from the Latin word tussis, meaning cough, and ago, meaning to cast or to act on. Traditionally used in cough medicine, coltsfoot flowers appear before its leaves emerge in early spring. The leaves, slightly lobed and jade colored, have distinct white veins that spread across the surface like a spiderweb. The plant spreads through fleshy but brittle rhizomes, making it a perennial nuisance in garden borders. It also serves as an early source of nectar for honey bees and as a larval food source for moths. However, the discovery of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the plant has raised concerns about liver health. While Tussilago farfara is the only accepted species in the genus Tussilago, several other species were once considered part of this group but are now classified under different genera. Although coltsfoot is valued for its medicinal properties, its invasive nature in certain regions, including the eastern United States, is a cause for concern.