[Butterburs and Coltsfoot: The Genus Petasites West of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Alpine Butterbur, Arctic Butterbur, Sweet Coltsfoot, Western Coltsfoot

Petasites frigidus var palmatus

Synonyms: Nardosmia palmata, Petasites arcticus, Petasites frigidus ssp. arcticus, Petasites palmatus, Petasites palmatus ssp. speciosus, Petasites speciosus, Tussilago palmata

Alpine Butterbur, Arctic Butterbur, Sweet Coltsfoot, Western Coltsfoot: Petasites frigidus var. palmatus (Synonyms: Nardosmia palmata, Petasites arcticus, Petasites frigidus ssp. arcticus, Petasites palmatus, Petasites palmatus ssp. speciosus, Petasites speciosus, Tussilago palmata)
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.

Alpine Butterbur, Arctic Butterbur, Sweet Coltsfoot, Western Coltsfoot: Petasites frigidus var. palmatus (Synonyms: Nardosmia palmata, Petasites arcticus, Petasites frigidus ssp. arcticus, Petasites palmatus, Petasites palmatus ssp. speciosus, Petasites speciosus, Tussilago palmata)

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