Spring Perennial

Meet Caltha Palustris - the Marsh Marigold - a member of the buttercup family (not a marigold) and a perennial spring wild flower found in our bottomlands this time of year.

This is a difficult plant to miss as the bright yellow flowers are quite showy.  This plant grows along Silver Creek and in the dappled sunlit areas where ephemeral waters gather. 

This plant happens to be edible when cooked.  The tender spring leaves or buds can be blanched in boiling water , cut into bite-sized pieces, lightly salted and served with melted butter.

It is sometimes called Cowslip - a throwback to the fact that it is found in low-lying areas and cows would slip-upon it when they came to the creek to drink.