I have been watching these in a wetland area of the woods. They have been up and in bud for a week or two. Today revealed a single flower willing to brave the early Spring.The Marsh Marigold is also called Cowslip. Thoreau called them Cow's Lips.This flower attracts more than 40 different kinds of bees. It reflects light in the ultraviolet range and looks yellow to humans but purple to bees. If you click on the photo you will see the "nectar guide" lines that leads the bee to the center of the flower.Where I found it: wet, swampy spots that have sun exposure during the early Spring.
Such an amazingly beautiful little flower! That's incredible that it attracts more than 40 different kinds of bees and that it looks yellow to us and purple to bees. Such astonishing facts! Thank you for this post Wild Bee!
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