Marsh Marigold - Caltha Palustris - Western Isles Pink Wildflowers

Marsh Marigold - Western Isles Wildflowers

Marsh Marigold - Yellow Wildflowers
You can see these lovely yellow flowers all over The Western Isles.. The sturdy plants with lovely bright yellow flowers.

The bright, glowing yellow flowers of this clump forming, marginal aquatic plant appear in the early springtime.

The sturdy plants with lovely bright yellow flowers (15-50mm across).

Sepals
The lovely yellow wildflowers have 5 petal like sepals with lots of yellow stamens

Leaves
The shiny, dark green leaves are large and kidney-shaped. THe marsh marigold's leaves are 3-20 cm across, with a bluntly serrated margin and a thick, waxy texture. The stems are hollow

Buttercup Family
The plant belongs to the Ranunculaceae (buttercup family). The flowers of this showy spring wildflower plant resemble large buttercups rather than the marigolds. They create a great show with their bright yellow heads displaying particularly near streams and any moist pastures.

Latin Name Derivation
The name Caltha derives from the Greek word calathos meaning a cup or goblet, and refers to the shape of the flowers. The specific name comes from the Latin word palus meaning a marsh.

The wildflowers grown between one and two feet in height. As you can see from the pictures these wildflower plants just love wet habitats - so it follows that - perhaps that's why we see so many of them here on The Isle of Lewis, Isle of Harris, and the Uists.

Common Names
This lovely yellow wildflower is often called 'Kingcup' Marsh-marigolds are also known as Mayflower, May-blobs and Water-bubbles, bulls eyes, mollyblobs.. The name Mayflower comes from the custom which used to be practiced, of bringing the flowers into the house and strewing them on doorsteps on a particular day of the year

Good for Insects - Nectar and Pollen
The lovely yellow wildflowers - seen in The Western Isles - are visited by many, many insects. The insects visit for the pollen and for the nectar. The carpets form into green sac-like follicles to 1 cm long, each opening to release several seeds

Medicinal Uses
Although The leaves of Marsh Marigold are edible they are also poisonous, and careful preparation is necessary if they are to be used as medicines, they need to be cooked properly.

Marigolds have been used for Warts Anaemia - Colds - Laxative - Birthing Process etc The marsh marigold has been used to remove warts. The flowers are also used in the treatment anaemia. They are also used to treat colds. A tea made from the leaves is a diuretic and laxative.

Marsh Marigolds - Yellow Hebrides Flowers

Marsh Marigolds
Isle Lewis Wildflowers

Hebrides Wildflowers
Yellow Marsh Marigolds

Marsh Marigolds - Yellow Hebridean Wildflowers - Western Isles Flora

Western Isles Wildflowers
Marigolds at Balallan

Marigolds - Isle of Harris
Hebrides Wildflowers

Marsh Marigolds - Yellow Hebridean Flowers

Marsh Marigolds
Uig - Isle of Lewis

Yellow wildflowers what have 5 petal like sepals with lots of stamens

Wildflowers - Isle of Lewis
Yellow March Marigolds

Marsh Marigolds belong to the Buttercup family

Marigolds - Yellow Hebrides Wild Flowers

Marigolds said to be on if Britain's
Oldest Native Wildflowers

Click pictures below for larger photographs

Medieval Times
The common name of marigold refers to its use in the churches in medieval times. At Easter these flowers, the marsh marigolds were given as a tribute to the 'Virgin Mary'

Plant of Egypt First
Originally a native plant of ancient Egypt, this lovely wildflower plant some say was first introduced into Britain by the Romans, although other documentation suggest that it even dates back to shortly after "The Ice Age".

Gorse Around The Stornoway War Memorial - Hebrides Flowers

Most Ancient Native Plant of Great Britain
The Marsh marigold is believed to perhaps be one of Britain’s most ancient native plants. The marsh marigold may have been growing here since before the last Ice Age. After the retreat of the icecaps, this plant simply proliferated across the watery landscape.

Marsh Marigolds Will Tolerate Drought
Marsh Marigolds do tolerate periods of drought, but will go dormant and lose all their leaves.

Greeks Used it as a Dye
The ancient Greeks used it's petals for decoration, to colour foods and cosmetics and as a material dye

Native Americans Used in Birthing Process
Marsh marigold have also been used by Native Americans to aid in birthing processes

Yellow Wildflowers - Gorse - Hebrides Flora

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Other interesting websites

Marsh Marigold - Caltha Palustris - Western Isles Pink Wildflowers