Petasites frigidus

Petasites frigidus, the Arctic sweet coltsfoot or Arctic butterbur, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to Arctic to cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in northern Europe, northern Asia and northern North America. It is a herbaceous perennial plant producing flowering stems in early spring, and large leaves through the summer. The upright flowering stems are 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall, and bear only 5–12 inflorescences, yellowish-white to pink in colour. The leaves are rounded, 15–20 cm (6–8 in) broad, with a deeply cleft base and shallowly lobed margin, and rise directly from the underground rootstock. The underside of the leaves is covered with matted, woolly fuzz. It grows in moist shaded ground, preferring stream banks and seeping ground of cut-banks. While there is some disagreement, some sources identify five varieties of P. frigidus: Petasites frigidus var. frigidus Petasites frigidus var. nivalis, sometimes referred to as P. nivalis or P. hyperboreus. This variety is common at subalpine and alpine elevations. Petasites frigidus var. palmatus, sometimes referred to as P. palmatus, palmate coltsfoot, or western coltsfoot; mâl-ē-mē’ (Konkow language); or tä-tä-tē’; pē’-wē is the root. Petasites frigidus var. sagittatus, arrowleaf sweet coltsfoot. Petasites frigidus var. vitifolius

Description

A herb in the daisy family which keeps growing from year to year. It has creeping underground stems. The leaves are heart shaped. They have teeth around the edge and slight lobes. The leaves have white soft hairs underneath. There is a single leaf on each stem coming from the rhizome. The flowers are yellowish-white or red and in open spikes. The flowers appear before the leaves expand. There are 5-7 flowering heads at the top of the stem.

Edible Uses

Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, mixed with other greens as a potherb, or made into a sauerkraut. Young stalks and flower heads are used cooked, and the roots are also eaten cooked. The burnt ash of the leaves serves as a salt substitute: the stems and leaves, while still green, are rolled into balls, dried, then burned on top of a very small fire on a rock. The resulting ash makes a very acceptable condiment for piñole.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are mixed with other greens and used as a potherb. The young stalks and flower heads are cooked and eaten. The roots are roasted and eaten. The leaves are dried, burned and crushed to produce a salt like flavouring. Caution: It contains alkaloids and should not be eaten by pregnant women.

Medicinal Uses

The plant is antispasmodic and used as a poultice. An infusion of the dried leaves has been used to treat colds and head and chest congestion.

Known Hazards

The leaf stalks and flower stems (with flowers) are edible, and can be used as a vegetable dish. A salt-substitute can also be made by drying and then burning the leaves. This black, powdery substance will provide a salty taste. However, given the high likelihood of the presence of toxic unsaturated, diester pyrrolizidine alkaloids in this species, consumption should be very limited.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in wet or moist thickets. It can be in peaty tundra. It suits hardiness zones 5-10.

Where It Grows

Alaska, Arctic, Australia, Canada, Europe, North America, Mongolia, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, USA,

Propagation

Sow seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe or in early spring, covering only lightly and keeping the compost moist. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in summer. Division succeeds at almost any time of year. Larger divisions can go directly into permanent positions; smaller ones are better potted up and grown on in light shade in a cold frame until well established, then planted out in late spring or early summer.

Other Uses

Makes a good ground cover for wilder areas of the garden. The cotton-like seed heads have been used as stuffing material for mattresses. The leaves have been folded into conical containers for collecting fruit and have also been used to make temporary funnels.

Notes

There are about 14 Petasites species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Kamgyak, Llamquq

References (15)

• Ainana, L. & Zagrebin, I., 2014, Edible Plants Used by the Siberian Yupik Eskimos of Southeastern Chukotka Peninsula, Russia, (English translation). p 28
• Bremness, L., 1994, Herbs. Collins Eyewitness Handbooks. Harper Collins. p 201
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1014
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 41
• Holloway, P. S. & Alexander, G., 1990, Ethnobotany of the Fort Yukon Region, Alaska. Economic Botany, Vol. 44, No. 2 pp. 214-225

More from Asteraceae

Dendrophorbium lloense

Lloa dendrophorbium

Dicoma anomala

Fever bush

Dicoma capensis

Karmedik

Dicoma tomentosa

Dicoria canescens

Desert twinbugs

Dimorphotheca cuneata

White bietou