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.
