Molly Blob

Type

Plants, Wetland

Area of origin

Midlands

Area of use

Midlands

Dialect name for the marsh marigold (caltha palustris). Other names include: kingcup, mayflower, may blobs, mollyblobs, pollyblobs, horse blob, water blobs, water bubbles, gollins, balfae (in Caithness) and the publican. [E.J.G]

Etymology

Uncertain. The common “marigold” refers to its use in medieval churches at Easter as a tribute to the Virgin Mary, as in Mary gold. The specific name palustris, Latin for “of the marsh”, indicates its common habitat. [E.J.G.]

Example locations

  • Molly Blobs at Jacksons Coppice
    Eccleshall, Staffordshire

Enlarge map

Entry contributors:

Elizabeth Jardine Godwin