Monday, April 13, 2009

Coltsfoot/ Macro Monday

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)

The coltsfoot flower looks similar to a dandelion, doesn’t it? Actually, the blossom is smaller than a dandelion and, if you look closely, you can see it has radiating petals around the outside and disk-shaped flowers in the centre.

Plus the scaly, hairy stem is solid (not hollow like a dandelion) and the plant’s hoof-shaped leaves (get it? Colt’s foot) appear after the flowers.

This member of the Aster family blooms early in spring near roadsides and often on waste and stony ground. In fact this one was photographed on a vacant lot.


To see more macro shots visit Lisa's Chaos at http://lisaschaos.com
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19 comments:

  1. DarlaApril 13, 2009 at 7:34 AM

    Interesting with the two different petal shapes. I hope you show the leaves later.

    Darla

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  2. VALKYRIENApril 13, 2009 at 7:55 AM

    Great macro! This flower is so small, I cannot believe the crispy detales in the shot!

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  3. Trish ~ ♥ ~April 13, 2009 at 8:22 AM

    How pretty, lovely yellow color that just says Spring!

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  4. Small City ScenesApril 13, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    Interesting flower and I believe it was once used as a herb for a cough remedy. I love the center it looks like corn. MB

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  5. LowellApril 13, 2009 at 9:57 AM

    Superb photograph! I was surprised at how small it actually is.

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  6. HorseartistApril 13, 2009 at 10:12 AM

    Nice contrast of the center to the petal in texture. And thanks for the extra info on coltsfoot.

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  7. kathApril 13, 2009 at 10:15 AM

    I love a little lesson with the macro! Thanks, now I'm going to have to look for one of these!

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  8. margieApril 13, 2009 at 10:23 AM

    i love that you even know all that!!!

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  9. Betsy Banks AdamsApril 13, 2009 at 10:38 AM

    I'm glad it's NOT a Dandelion... We have Dandelions here and constantly are digging them up!!!!

    SO--since it's not a Dandelion, I'll say that it's pretty!!!! Ha...

    Have a great day!
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  10. PERBSApril 13, 2009 at 12:00 PM

    Beautiful! Now I amwonderinf if my "dandelion" post was really this flower because one of the photos had a center like that and it grew on the side of a road. You are so knowledgeable!

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  11. JudyApril 13, 2009 at 12:12 PM

    it is a magnificent photo of a sunny flower!! i had never seen coltsfoot before saturday, and the colonies are in an area where i have walked for years! was i walking with my eyes closed? my camera heps me see more of my world!!!

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  12. amandaApril 13, 2009 at 12:36 PM

    Love wild flowers and this one is no exception, I don't have any shots of Coltsfoot and lovely as this though!

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  13. AnonymousApril 13, 2009 at 1:26 PM

    That's an awesome blossum! Pretty yellow color.

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  14. MirageApril 13, 2009 at 3:13 PM

    Beautiful flower! It also passes from mellow yellow monday! Sunny Spring flower!

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  15. MojoApril 13, 2009 at 9:19 PM

    The center almost looks like corn still on the cob. But without the silk. Marvelous macro!

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  16. Pat - ArkansasApril 13, 2009 at 10:45 PM

    Wonderful macro!! Thanks.

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  17. CameoRozeApril 14, 2009 at 10:43 AM

    Brilliant color. Nice framing.

    Lovin' Macro Mondays,
    Cameo @-->-->---

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  18. Lulda CasadagaApril 14, 2009 at 11:09 AM

    WOW! Great burst of YELLOW! Very nice...:)

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  19. pictureeachdayApril 15, 2009 at 12:55 AM

    Lovely photo! You share so many beautiful flowers with us, and always with such informative posts. Your blog is a lovely reminder to look down! I was going to comment on the "corn kernels" in the center of the flower, but I see a couple others already had the same thought :)

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