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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Caltha leptosepala

Caltha leptosepala DC.

White Marsh-marigold, Elks-lip

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: cale4

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

The glossy, basal leaves of this marsh-marigold are distinctly longer than broad with wavy edges. Showy flowers, occuring on a few-leaved stem, are purplish outside and white within. There are several leaves at the base of each erect, leafless flowering stem, with usually only 1 white, bowl-shaped flower at tip. Masses of yellow stamens add to the flowers� showiness. Usually only one flower is borne from each stem, but there can be two or three.

Marsh Marigolds bloom very close to receding snowbanks. The name Elks-lip refers to the shape of the long leaf of this species. Twin-flowered Marsh Marigold (C. biflora), from Alaska to California, east to Colorado, is very similar but has leaves about as wide as long and nearly always 2 flowers on each stem.

From the Image Gallery

7 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Aggregate , Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NM , NV , OR , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB
Native Distribution: AK, s. in mts. to NM, AZ & e. OR
Native Habitat: Wet alpine & subalpine meadows; stream edges; bogs

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist to wet soils.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed or division of roots.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:		OBL	OBL			OBL				OBL

This information is derived from: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2023). 2022 National Wetland Plant List, version 3.6. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS. https://wetland-plants.usace.army.mil/. Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

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

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1989 VOL. 6, NO.4 - Spring Climbs Rockies Slowly, Colorado Cooler, Conference of Wildflower and Nati...

Additional resources

USDA: Find Caltha leptosepala in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Caltha leptosepala in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Caltha leptosepala

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-27
Research By: TWC Staff

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