Coltsfoot — long-term grassy plants of family of thistle family, it is widespread in Eurasia, North America and North Africa. Coltsfoot is considered one of the most unpretentious plants, he can be met in ravines, on waste grounds, in pits and at the road.
Features
At coltsfoot the direct not branching stalks covered with scale-like leaves. The plant has long and strongly branched rhizome. On long scapes roundish leaves of heart-shaped form, from outer side they smooth, green color, from internal — whitish and trimmed are located. Radical leaves sometimes have diameter of 25 cm and remind small leaves of burdock. Stalks grow to 10-25 cm and come to an end with flower basket.
Coltsfoot blossoms in the early spring when snow only begins to descend. Its golden-yellow flowers can adjoin to not thawed snow, at the end of May or the beginning of June fruits ripen. Coltsfoot is very heliophilous, it chooses the unshaded sites and prefers clay and loamy soils. Though this plant is considered one of the most unpretentious, on the soils covered with the dense turf it does not grow.
Reproduction
The main way of reproduction — vegetative, by means of long white underground rhizomes, however coltsfoot can breed seeds. It quickly occupies all free territories, and its leaves often form so dense cover that other weed plants in its thickets almost do not meet. After maturing coltsfoot reminds the dandelion, its oblong semyanka trimmed soft hairs, scatter at wind whiff.
Application
Flowers and leaves differ in the structure a little, they contain apple and wine acid, karatonida, vitamin C and also organic and mineral salts. Broths and tinctures of coltsfoot apply as disinfecting, anti-inflammatory or antiallergic means. Flowers collect in the spring, and leaves — in June, then dry them in dark and cool rooms. The medicines prepared from them are successfully applied in cosmetology.
How to fight
Gardeners and gardeners are well familiar with this weed plant, fight against it goes constantly. During the plowing or digging up of the earth the small backs of coltsfoot quickly sprout, occupying all surrounding space. There are two ways of fight against this weed. The first of them consists in careful cleaning of the earth at digging-up, at the same time it is necessary to get rid of all roots, to remove even the smallest. During the spring and summer recommend to dig out plant periodically. The second way of fight - use of solution against weeds, for example, Raundapa. As soon as there are first flower escapes, they are watered with solution. When the grass turns yellow, it will occur approximately in 10-14 days, it is possible to start excavation and forming of beds.