“The bright morning star, day’s harbinger, Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her, The flowery May, that from her green lap throws, The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose.”
Standish O’Grady, History of Ireland, 1878
Cowslip or Primula veris are also called paigle, peggie, key flower, key of heaven, fairy cups, cuckoo’s shoe, low rascal devil and palsywort. It’s called bainne bó bleachtáin in Gaeilge and mùisean or lus nam mùisean in Scots Gaelic. The botanical name Primula stems from the Latin word primus which relates to being one of the first plants to appear in the spring. The common name likely came about due to the plant frequently being found in cow pastures. Cowslip with its bright yellow flowers is a vivacious and beautiful wild plant. Being one of the first harbingers of spring, it’s always a wonderful sight to see after a long winter.
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