[Butterburs and Coltsfoot: The Genus Petasites West of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]
Alpine Butterbur, Arctic Butterbur, Alpine Coltsfoot, Arctic Sweet Coltsfoot, Arrowleaf Sweet Coltsfoot, Frigid Coltsfoot, Sweet Coltsfoot
Petasites frigidus var frigidus
Synonym: Petasites frigidus var. nivalis
Frigid coltsfoot as seen along the Taiga Trail at Camp Denali several miles north of Wonder Lake, Denali National Park and Preserve.......June 19, 2012.
Characteristics:
1. Large, simple, palmate leaf (up to 1 ft side).
2. Leaf has 7-9 toothed points or lobes.
3. Leaves woolly-white below.
4. Small, purplish-white flowers.
5. Entire plant is 1' to 2' tall.
Habitat:
Moist, boggy areas in forest clearings. They are often seen in ditches &
roadsides in forest areas.
Uses or Importances:
1. Powerful cough medicine from juices.
2. Teas from leaves used to stop lung spasms.
3. Juices used on swelling, bug bites, sores & arthritis.
4. Stems make a tasty spring veggie.
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Close-ups of the inflorescence of frigid coltsfoot as seen on tundra slopes where the snow laid late into the spring at the western base of Green Dome, Denali National Park and Preserve............June 20, 2012.
The photo above shows the attractive basal leaf of frigid coltsfoot as seen in woods next to the train station at the entrance to Denali National Park........August 22, 2006.
A close-up of the basal leaves of frigid coltsfoot from east of Highway Pass, Denali National Park........August 24, 2006. The leaves are turning purple shortly after experiencing the season's first snows.
The inflorescence of frigid coltsfoot from atop the ridge to the west of Wonder
Lake, Denali National Park.......June 25, 2002.
The attractive leaf of frigid coltsfoot as seen on moist tundra on the northwest facing slopes of Thorofare Mt., Denali National Park and Preserve........September 7, 2009.
Paul Slichter
