Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is one of the first wildflowers to bloom in the spring. It can be found wherever the sun has sufficiently warmed the soil -- sun-facing roadsides, banks or rocky beaches.
It is often confused with the common dandelion.
Both have bright yellow flower heads. However, Coltsfoot creates blooms before it creates foliage. The flower heads sit atop stems covered with scales. Heart-shaped leaves (resembling colt's feet) develop later in the spring.
Dandelions have flower heads on smooth stems. The highly toothed leaves are already vivid green when the dandelion flowers appear.
