coltsfoot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical, Botanical, Folk Medicine
Quick answer
What does “coltsfoot” mean?
A plant (Tussilago farfara) with yellow flowers and large, hoof-shaped leaves.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A plant (Tussilago farfara) with yellow flowers and large, hoof-shaped leaves.
The dried leaves or flowers of the coltsfoot plant, used in traditional medicine as a cough remedy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in meaning. The botanical and common name is the same.
Connotations
In the UK, it is slightly more associated with traditional 'cottage garden' plants and folk remedies.
Frequency
Rare in everyday conversation in both regions. More likely encountered by botanists, herbalists, or in specific nature contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “coltsfoot” in a Sentence
Verb + coltsfoot (e.g., 'harvest coltsfoot', 'use coltsfoot')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coltsfoot” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We gathered coltsfoot from the riverbank.
American English
- They foraged for coltsfoot in the early spring.
adjective
British English
- The coltsfoot remedy was surprisingly effective.
American English
- She drank a coltsfoot-infused tea.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the herbal supplement and alternative medicine industry.
Academic
Used in botany, pharmacology (studying its mucilage and tannin content), and ethnobotany.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be mentioned by gardeners, foragers, or people using herbal teas for coughs.
Technical
Specific to botany (plant identification), herbalism (preparation of decoctions), and phytochemistry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coltsfoot”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coltsfoot”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coltsfoot”
- Confusing it with dandelion or butterbur due to similar yellow flowers.
- Misspelling as 'colt's foot' or 'colts foot'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Modern research shows it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can be toxic to the liver. Its internal use is discouraged or regulated in many countries.
It is native to Europe and parts of Asia but has been introduced elsewhere. It thrives in damp, disturbed ground, clay soils, and riverbanks.
This old name refers to the flowers (the 'son') appearing in early spring before the large leaves (the 'father') have fully developed.
It can be grown, but it is considered an invasive, rhizomatous spreader in many areas and can be difficult to control once established.
A plant (Tussilago farfara) with yellow flowers and large, hoof-shaped leaves.
Coltsfoot is usually technical, botanical, folk medicine in register.
Coltsfoot: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkəʊltsfʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkoʊltsfʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The leaf of the COLT'S FOOT plant looks like the hoof of a young horse (a colt).
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE'S APOTHECARY (it is a plant used as a natural medicine).
Practice
Quiz
What is coltsfoot primarily known for in a historical context?