Great Merrybells

Great Merrybells, synonym Large-flowered Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora), is another plant some gardeners like to purchase at specialty nurseries selling wildflowers. So imagine my surprise when I happened upon them the first time on a walk in the local forest. Often two or three of these drooping yellow flowers grow on each stem, growing in clumps. They are connected by rhizomes (underground roots).
Believe it or not, young shoots are also reported to be edible when the leaves are stripped off and boiled like asparagus. I wouldn't know though. I've never eaten them!

Native Americans used the rhizomes in an infusion to relieve backache and to massage sore muscles after a long day in the woods gathering firewood. (Some days I could use that after a long walk in the woods!) They also used the infusion as a poultice to relieve toothaches.