I got back in Ohio in time to see one of the showiest of all of our early blooming wildflowers. Marsh Marigold is found in marshy areas and wet woods.
The flowers are about 1-1/2 inches across. This plant forms loose clumps of large kidney or heart shaped waxy leaves, with branching stems 12 to 18 inches tall.
Its genus, Caltha, is Latin for “cup” and describes the upturned petal-like sepals which form a shallow cup. Though “marigold” may be a good description of its color, this is not a true Marigold, but rather, a type of buttercup.
“Back in the day” this plant had the common name of “Cowslip.” Since it often grows in low lying hilly areas, cows often slipped on it when they went to a creek to take a drink.
This plant grows along quiet waterways, such as streams and ponds. I haven’t seen it in a few years, so it was nice running into several examples of Marsh Marigold in Brecksville Reservation today.