The bright yellow flowers and spherical seedhead (clock) make this plant instantly recognisable. The mid-yellow flowers provide its common English name Dandelion. Translated from the French Dent de lion, meaning: lions tooth, referring literally to the plants coarsely toothed leaves. Its common folk name wet the bed refers to the strong diuretic effect of its roots. Similar names are also found in French and Italian. 

Marsh marigold is a widespread plant found in damp areas such as riversides and ponds. It is quite a conspicuous little spring flower which looks quite like a common buttercup. It is in fact a member of the buttercup family, but its bright yellow flowers are much larger and has very rounded, glossy green leaves. Caltha palustris is an herbaceous plant which grows to about 30cm high on thick stocky stems before it dies back in autumn. Its flowers shoot up above the leaves while still curled up before opening to enjoy the spring sunshine.

Ficaria verna, commonly known as lesser celandine or pilewort is a native wildflower, which is widespread in woodlands, hedgerows and on riverbanks. Therefore, it is no surprise that we have lots of it along the Greenway. You may not always notice the glossy heart-shaped leaves as it is very low growing and can be hidden among taller grass areas. However, its yellow star-like flowers are one of the first woodland flowers of the year and can often carpet woodlands and riversides with a splash of colour in March or April.

Over the past few weeks we’ve focused on the theme of spring flowers. Their importance and contribution to any year cannot be understated. In this respect spring flowers have become symbols, suggesting renewal, in what is undeniably the least colourful part of the year. With their striking yellow displays, daffodils remain the true heralds of spring. Planted in autumn they spend several months developing roots before bursting into flower during spring.