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( Ranunculacece) 
(A) Water Plantain (Ranunculus laxicaulis) is a 
rather common marsh-inhabiting buttercup, with five to 
seven narrow yellow petals. The stem is stout but 
rather weak and angled, at each joint sending out a 
clasping lanceolate, almost toothless leaf. The flowers, 
which are about % in. broad, are on long peduncles 
terminating the branching stem that rises from 1 to 
21/2 feet. It is found in bogs, ditches and muddy places 
from Me. to Minn, and south to the Gulf. . 
(B) Marsh Marigold (Galtha palustris) is the very 
common marsh herb usually, but erroneously, called 
“ Cowslip.” Its leaves are very commonly used and 
marketed for food. The flowers are perfect, have no 
petals but from five to nine (usually the former) golden- 
yellow, shining sepals and numerous brighter stamens. 
The stems are hollow and furrowed. The leaves are 
round kidney-shaped, usually with scalloped edges. 
Marsh Marigold is abundant in swamps or wet mead¬ 
ows from Newfoundland to Alaska and southwards 
through the United States, flowering in April and May. 
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