Home › American Cowslip › American Cowslip

American Cowslip

Dodecatheon Meadia AN American cowslip ought to be like a cowslip, but this flower is more like that of a potato. The comparison cannot degrade the flower, because the flowers of many sorts of potatoes are beautiful in the most proper sense of the term. A very choice Alpine known as Ramondia Pyrenaica comes nearer to the likeness of a potato than the Dodecatheon before us, but it is far removed botanically, and the resemblance is but superficial. But an American cowslip ought also to be like a lettuce, for as much is implied in the generic name; but the resemblance of the leaves to those of a lettuce is less apparent than that of the flowers to those of a potato. It is a primulaceous plant, and therefore comes near to the cowslip in affinities, as it does also in cultural requirements--at least in some degree. It is more of a woodland plant than the cowslip, loving shade and a peaty or leafy soil; but it is not particular, and if once comfortably located will do better left alone than with any possible attentions.