Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park, VA
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Family: Asteraceae
Mid-Atlantic bloom time: March - May
Cotlsfoot's flowers resemble common dandelions about 1.5 - 2.5 cm in diameter, but no leaves are present when flowers bloom. Leaves later emerge that are purportedly shaped like a colt's foot. Like dandelions, its seeds are dispersed by the wind and can travel for miles; they can remain dormant in the soil for long periods, awaiting a disturbance to stimulate them to germinate at any time in the growing season.
It was introduced from northern Europe and Asia by early settlers because of its perceived medicinal uses, despite being toxic in large doses.
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9 April 2013
Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park, VA
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