Marsh marigold

Look out for marsh marigold with striking glossy yellow flowers in loose clusters and distinctive, heart-shaped shiny fleshy leaves. Resembling a giant flowered buttercup, they grow in marshes and on riversides. The stout hollow stems have minute air spaces that allow gaseous exchange through parts of the plant above and below the waterlogged level. It was used in folk medicine to treat warts, cleaning wounds, anaemia and epilepsy. It was known as May-flower and its name as Gaeilge is lus buí bealtaine meaning the yellow May plant. On May eve, it was hung in bunches over doors to protect from evil. Marsh marigold is part of our native Irish biodiversity.