Kingcup – the Goblet of the Marsh

There are huge yellow flowers growing in the disused canal here. They look like buttercups on steroids:

I’m standing on the towpath as dog walkers pass by, staring intently at my phone. I do a quick Google search for ‘Marsh Marigold’. I don’t know why. I just have an urge to.

Yes, that’s it; Marsh Marigold, Caltha palustris.

Caltha is from the Ancient Greek for ‘goblet’ and palustris is from the Latin for ‘of the marsh’. The Goblet of the Marsh:

Later I’m told another common name for them is Kingcups. They really are the King of Buttercups.