SWAMPS, BOGS, AND MARSHES 



^ \^ p. nJ ~S J Marsh Marigold 



Caltha palusiris. — Family, Crowfoot. Ci:;/^/-, yellow. Leaves, 

 mostly from the root. A few on the flower stems. All large, 

 rounded, or kidney-shaped on fleshy petioles. Time, April, 

 May. 



Petals, none. Calyx, petal-like, of 5 to 9 golden-yellow, 

 broad, roundish sepals. Stamens, many. Pistils, 5 to 10, 

 making many-seeded pods, i to 2 feet high. 



Low, small, thickish herbs, among our earliest flowers to ap- 

 pear. The stems are furrowed and hollow. Under the incorrect 

 name of cowslips, these plants are eaten as " greens." The dish 

 is wholesome and agreeable. The true cowslip is a species of 

 primrose. Caltha means golden cup — a suitable name for this 

 bright, pretty flower that borders our marshes with gold. 



2. Water-plantain Spearwort 



Ranunculus ambigens.— Family, Crowfoot. Color, deep 

 yellow. Leaves, 4 to 5 inches long, narrow or oblong, alter- 

 nate, distantly toothed, on long, half-clasping stems. Time, 

 June to August. 



Sepals, 5, very small. Petals, small, 5 to 7, less than ^ inch 

 long. They fall easily. Stame?is, indefinite. Pistils, numer- 

 ous in a small round head. 



A smooth plant, i to 2 feet high, sometimes with roots spring- 



