1. The flowering period of butterbur is from December to February, and the capitate inflorescence is apical, with yellow tongue-shaped flowers, and the overall look is very much like a large chrysanthemum. Although the flowering period is in the cold winter, the flowers of the butterbur bring a touch of vitality and warmth with their unique bright yellow color. It grows in grass and ice, and even in the harsh winter, it can still stand bravely in the cold wind, and its tenacious vitality brings hope and courage to people. Like a bright ray of sunshine, butterbur blooms in the middle of winter, adding a beautiful landscape to nature.
2. Coltsfoot is not only an ornamental plant, but also has rich medicinal value. "Rihuazi Materia Medica" records that coltsfoot flowers have the effects of moistening the heart and lungs, benefiting the five organs, removing annoyance, replenishing labor and inferiority, eliminating phlegm and stopping cough, and pulmonary impotence. It is a very precious traditional Chinese medicine, which has a wide range of applications in traditional Chinese medicine**cough, hemoptysis, tuberculosis and other diseases. Coltsfoot is a good medicine for cough, especially for long-term cough, the use of coltsfoot can play a role in cough and phlegm. In addition, coltsfoot also has the effect of moistening the lungs, benefiting the kidneys and protecting the stomach, and has a certain auxiliary effect on some chronic respiratory diseases and tuberculosis. Therefore, in rural areas, some people will dry the cotsfoot flowers they pick and use them to boil water or make tea to drink, so as to enjoy the medicinal effects of the coltsfoot flowers.
3. Coltsfoot flowers can also be highly praised as an ingredient. The young leaves of coltsfoot are an edible wild vegetable, especially in winter, and it is a very common practice to pick the young leaves of butterbur. The texture of the young leaves is tender, the taste is delicious, and it is rich in nutrients. According to the record of "Materia Medica", the ancient people often picked the young leaves of coltsfoot to eat, scalded with boiling water and removed the bitterness, and then they would be cold or fried, and the taste was very good. The young leaves of butterbur are rich in vitamin C, vitamin E and plant fiber, which are beneficial to strengthening the body's immunity and promoting the health of the digestive system. In rural areas, locals pick butterbur leaves to cook at home, adding to the diversity and nutritional value of winter dishes.
Fourth, butterbur is a key protected wild plant and has important ecological value. Coltsfoot is listed as a key protected wild plant in Beijing, and is also distributed in other areas. As a wild plant, butterbur plays an important role in the ecosystem, protecting and improving the ecological environment. Coltsfoot grows near rivers or in wetland areas, and its rhizomes can protect soil and water and curb soil erosion, and play a role in maintaining the ecological balance of wetlands. At the same time, the flowering period of butterbur is in winter, which can attract many insects and birds to come to forage and spread pollen, maintaining the ecological balance of plant reproduction. For farmers who are friendly to environmental protection in rural areas, protecting butterbur is also an important measure to protect the ecological environment.
To sum up, butterbur, as a plant that blooms in winter, has rich value and function. It is not only a beautiful ornamental plant, but also has medicinal and edible value, and as a key protected wild plant, it also plays an important role in ecological environmental protection. I hope that more farmers can know and understand this plant, treat it well, protect it, let it bloom more beautiful flowers in winter, and add a unique scenery to the countryside. At the same time, it is also expected that scientists can conduct more in-depth research on butterbur, tap more potential value and application directions, and bring more benefits to rural development and people's lives.