cow slop

Virginia bluebells is the more generally used common name for this pale blue flower now in bloom in the Tennessee Valley. That’s fortunate because the lovely thing is also known as Virginia cowslip, a reference to the wet and muddy places that cows like to slop around in near water; literally cow+slip or cow+slop, i.e. cow dung. Water plus mud plus dung would create a rich place for a plant to grow but I could hardly think of a more unfortunate name to go by.

“Hello. I’m Virginia cow slop. How are you?”

Nevertheless, this delightful blue wildflower is often found in wet, damp lowlands near water. Just be careful where you step.