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Caltha palustris var. palustris
Caltha palustris L. var. palustris
Yellow Marsh Marigold, Marsh-marigold, Cowslip
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
Synonym(s): Caltha asarifolia, Caltha natans var. asarifolia, Caltha palustris ssp. asarifolia, Caltha palustris var. asarifolia, Caltha palustris var. flabellifolia
USDA Symbol: CAPAP6
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Thick stems; broadly heart-shaped leaves; and clusters of large, showy, buttercup-like, yellow flowers characterize this clumped perennial. Marsh-marigold grows from 1 - 2 ft. in height.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , CT , DE , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WA , WI , WVCanada: NB , NS , ON , PE
Native Distribution: Coast from AK to OR
Native Habitat: Bogs; stream edges
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Wet, humus-rich soil.
Benefit
Use Food: EDIBLE PARTS: Cooked, early spring greens are edible. Cover the young leaves with 2-3 changes of boiling water until barely tender; cut into bite-sized pieces, salt lightly, and cover with butter and some vinegar. Tightly closed buds can be pickled after covering with boiling water as described for leaves. Do not boil. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: Leaves. Toxic only in large quantities. Symptoms include burning of the throat, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, and convulsions. Toxic Principle: Protoanemonin. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Propagation
Description: Seeds should be sown immediately upon ripening and should not be allowed to dry out before sowing. Seedlings do not flower until the third year following germination. Also reproduces rapidly by division.Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Caltha palustris var. palustris in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Caltha palustris var. palustris in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Caltha palustris var. palustris
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-31Research By: TWC Staff