Miller, James H.; Manning, Steven T.; Enloe, Stephen F. 2010. A management guide for invasive plants in southern forests. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–131. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 120 p.
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara L.) is an unusual low-growing perennial forb from thick branching underground white rhizomes to 10 feet (3 m) deep. Several dandelionlike flower heads per plant sprout in early spring on stout and bracted woolly haired stalks, then rosettes of colt-hoof shaped leaves appear after dandelionlike plumed seeds have dispersed throughout the growing season. Coltsfoot has the reverse growth sequence of most asters and can rapidly colonize on roadsides and disturbed lands, especially dry and droughty sites. Rhizomes and seeds can remain dormant in soil for long periods and are stimulated to germinate by disturbance.
Management strategies
- Manually pull when first appears and when soil is moist to ensure removal of all rhizomes.
- Treat when new plants are young to prevent seed formation.
Recommended control procedures
- Thoroughly wet all leaves with a glyphosate herbicide or Garlon 3A as a 2-percent solution (8 ounces per 3-gallon mix) in water with a surfactant. Treatments should be made in the summer when the leaves of coltsfoot are fully developed. Earlier applications can be used to stop seeding.
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