Wildflower of the valley
Marsh Marigold, Cowflock, Cowslip, Kingcup
Caltha palustris
- How easy to find
- Rare — you will see it only in some places
- Flower size
- Medium to large
- Family
- Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)
- Local name
- Shomalap
- Type
- Perennial
- Height
- 10–60 cm
- Flower colour
- yellow
- Flowering
- June to August
About Marsh Marigold, Cowflock, Cowslip, Kingcup
Caltha palustris is a tufted perennial herb of 10-60 cm height. Stems are hollow. Leaves are kidney shaped.Stem leaves are alternate, without stalks and clasping the stem. Flowers are bright yellow, rarely white and cup shaped.
Where to find it
- Near the entrance of the valley
- Around Hemkund Sahib
Habitat
Can be found in wet, damp and marshy areas of alpine meadows.
Uses & folklore
Leaves are used for the treatment of Gonorrhea in ethno medicine. Flowers are used in treating warts and anaemia.
What the name means
Caltha is the classical Latin name for marigold; palustris means "of the marshes".
