 The common Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) goes by various other names, coughwort, hallfoot, horsehoof, foalswort, fieldhove, bullsfoot, donnhove, and in France Pas d'âne.
One of the earliest flowers to bloom, coltsfoot's flowers superficially resemble the dandelion, upon further inspection you will clearly be able to tell the difference by size (flowers are much smaller) the stem (much thicker, scaly, and taller) and the leaves are either nonexistent when blooming or the full round leaves (resembling a colt's foot) where as the dandelion have oblong sharp lobed leaves. Flowers can be found blooming February - June. Originally from Europe, settlers introduced the coltsfoot to America for medicinal purposes. As a medicinal herb, coltsfoot has been used for many purposes: cough dispeller, in treating asthma, bronchitis, and other respirator ills. In the past in Paris, the coltsfoot flowers would be painted as a sign on the doorpost of an apothecaries shop. An extract of fresh leaves can be used for making cough drops or hard candy, and its dried leaves can be steeped for a tea. (pregnant, young, and elderly should take caution using this herb)
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In many years, this day is still held in silence, often under a blanket of snow. The long winter drawing to a close, the daylight growing stronger with each passing day but the cold wind still cutting through. Right on schedule the skunks are awake and looking for a mate - a good way to remember this is to imagine skunks look for a valentine (mid Feb love is in the air and it's the smell of skunks). Squirrels have been changing their chattering and can be found gathering nest materials, yep, squirrels are mating too. The redwing blackbirds have started singing and chasing competitors away from their perch and the migratory waterfowl have been making their way through the area. A walk in the woods in early spring shows a quiet hidden world, for at first glance everything is bare and brown. The trees are empty, the ground still covered in leaves, mud covers everything else. Then you sit. A fallen tree as a bench. You close your eyes and you start to listen. At first you hear the wind in the trees, sandhill cranes call as they fly overhead, then the small trickle as the water seeps through the soil, sounds of small insects moving just under the leaf litter. Eyes open you can now see the tiny red velvet mite walking over leaves (no they won't hurt you). Those leaves are just barely covering the emerging green leaves of the spring beauty. Next to that you notice a stalk sticking out of the ground, scaly it looks almost like an asparagus -it's not- it is one of the earliest wildflowers - the Coltsfoot! As you watch the Coltsfoot, looking around for more, you spot a snake sunning on a branch nearby -an eastern racer? Knowing there are very few venomous snakes in Ohio you sit and observe it slowly warming in the morning sun. Respectfully you give it space and head back to your car. Sometimes when I say take a walk, what I mean is go outside but be still. Walk slow, quiet your mind, breathe and observe. All this happened within 20 feet from the parking area. Once every couple of years we get the opportunity to explore frozen waterfalls. Bundle up, walk with caution, and do take the opportunity!  I woke up early this frozen morning of Feb 4th, temperature read a crisp -7* as I was walking out the door. This is a sight I've been wanting to see for years, but the weather or time or just thinking about the cold temperatures has kept me from doing it. I arrived at the first fall about an hour after sunrise. The path to the creek was covered with enough snow to add traction but attempting to descend the hill following the normal path down to the falls was nothing but a thick sheet of ice. I slid on my bum about 1/4 of the way down before resigning that that was a terrible idea. Back at the top of the hill I noticed a set of footprints following the hill path, so I followed them over and down to a (sort of) safer way down the slope. (I feel I should note here, wear lots of layers, proper shoes, and a sturdy hiking pole - all these things make the biggest difference!) This first fall was pretty solid when I arrived, a light trickling sound behind the ice. After a few loud booms which I assumed were passing trucks, I realized it was the ice crashing down warmed just enough by the morning sun! The cold began to sting my cheeks (though totally covered) so I went back to the car and warmed up on my way to the second waterfall. By the time I reached the second fall the sun was gone again and the wind cut across the field sharply. This path was much less icy, even leading to the magical realm that is behind the falls. The water was moving much faster here creating interesting ice sculptures and sounds - check out the video here. After a couple of hours exploring the frozen falls it was time to warm up and make my way home. To see a familiar sight in a new light is always a great treat. I'm glad I braved the cold to experience this. I hope you push yourselves out of your comfort zones and explore somewhere familiar but in a new light. Happy Hiking! |
AboutSince 2015 we have been exploring and sharing all the amazing things we’ve found in nature. AuthorEmily is an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist who is most often found out in the woods. Archives
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