Flower Spotlight: Coltsfoot

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 along roadsides and other waste places. 
The name colts foot comes from the leaf shape's resemblance to a cross-section of a colt's foot. 
Originally from Europe, settlers introduced the coltsfoot to America for medicinal purposes. 
As a medicinal herb, coltsfoot has been used for centuries 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)

Below you can see the early bud, the flowers opening, and a full blooming flower.