Mini suns

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)

I took this picture of blooming Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) way back on February 21, and it's still blooming today. It's managed to plant itself in a flower border right below the dining room window, where its cheery flowers look like so many tiny suns. Clearly, given its early and extended presence, it's an important nectar plant for any early-emerging bee, butterfly or moth in the area, so we're happy to have it around. It's also a host plant for the larvae of two moth species — Gothic and Small Angle Shades — both of which we caught in our moth trap last summer. References say Coltsfoot spreads by both seeds and rhizomes; I'm guessing this one is seed-spread, since we have no others in the garden. There's a sizable colony on some rough ground a few hundred yards from here, so perhaps the seeds have blown over (or been carried in the plumage of some rummaging bird) from there. As with many plants native to Europe, this species has long been used in herbal medicines. However, it contains numerous alkaloids, some of which can cause severe liver problems, so consuming any part of it is probably best avoided.

In other garden news, we have Common Blackbirds nest-building in a dense bush not far from the house, so that's a sixth bird species confirmed to have nested here!