[Butterburs and Coltsfoot West of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Sweet Coltsfoot, Alpine Butterbur, Arctic Butterbur

Petasites frigidus var frigidus

Synonym: Petasites frigidus var. nivalis

Sweet Coltsfoot, Alpine Butterbur, Arctic Butterbur: Petasites frigidus var. frigidus (Synonym: Petasites frigidus var. nivalis)
Sweet coltsfoot as seen in the author's garden in Gresham, OR..........March 29, 2009.
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.

Sweet Coltsfoot, Alpine Butterbur, Arctic Butterbur: Petasites frigidus var frigidus (Synonym: Petasites frigidus var. nivalis)

Sweet coltsfoot blooming in wetlands along the road running the length of the bay side of Bay Ocean Spit, Tillamook County, Oregon..........February 17, 2015.
Paul Slichter