Marsh Marigold

(Caltha palustris)

 

   

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Corel Corporation

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris L.)

Identification: Flowers large and yellow, consisting of 5 to 9 petal-like sepals. Leaves kidney-shaped, thick, waxy. Stem thick, hollow. Plant 8 to 24 inches in height.

Distribution: Across southeastern Canada and southward to Nebraska in the west to South Carolina in the east. Also occurs along the Pacific Coast.

Habitat: Marsh Marigold is found in swamps and along the sides of streams and brooks.

Flowering period: April to June.

Similar Species: The buttercup-like flowers, thick and rounded leaves, the thick hollow stems, and aquatic habitat are all unique features of Marsh Marigold.

Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc. 2003. All rights reserved.