Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)

Other name: Cowslip

Plant Family: Buttercup, Ranunculaceae

Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) is not a true marigold, but a member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It is one of the first noticeable and showiest of the wetland wildflowers. Their large, bright, golden-yellow flowers are often easily visible along permanently wet roadside ditches when nearly all the vegetation is still brown and gray. It is worth getting out of the car and taking a closer look.

The heart-shaped leaves are said to have a very acrid flavor; nevertheless, hardy wild plant eaters will boil them in several changes of water, after which they are said to taste better than spinach. I’ll take their word for it.