Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Cowslip

COWSLIP, the Common, or Paigle, or Cowslip-primrose, Primula veris, L. a native perennial plant, growing in meadows and pastures, on a loamy or clayey soil. It produces sweet-scented yellow-flowers, which appear in April, and are used for making cowslip-wine, or balsamic tea. Its roots have a fine odour, similar to that of anise; and give additional strength to ale or beer, when immersed in the cask. The leaves and flowers of this plant are excellent food for silk-worms, which are extremely fond of them; they are also eaten as a pot-herb, and in salads.—Cattle eagerly feed on the leaves.