Letter from May-Britt Joyce
Joyce: Please Don’t Rein in the Coltsfoot
Referring to Chris Kjolhede’s May 29 article, “Invasive Species: Pesky Plants,” I beg to differ with his condemnation of the dainty little coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara).
As a first sign of spring, yes, “swaths of golden cheer” provide hope as they appear on the roadsides, sometimes poking through the snow. Even after the footlike leaves appear, and only grow to 3-4 inches, they stay on the roadside and do not try to work themselves into garden areas.
The sweet Tussilago appears in an old Swedish schoolbook as part of a play called “The Spring Flowers Festival.” Tussilago tells us they have been awake a long time even though it is so cold.
“Feel how the sun shines warm against the gray stones. Yet no sign of green appears in the ditch but through the dried grass, we tiny Tussilago sisters stand shining in rows, even as it is still freezing around our little bare legs.” The other spring flowers then follow Tussilago’s recitation with applause.
I join the wildflowers in applause and give thanks for this cheery prelude to spring and welcome them on the roadsides as a replacement for the giant, aggressive Japanese knotweed. Our human feet should not stomp out coltsfoot as Chris suggests.
May-Britt Joyce
Cooperstown
