University of Alberta Museums Search

Scientific Name Caltha palustris L. Common Name marsh marigold, yellow marsh marigold General Description Perennial herb; stems leafy, erect, 20- 60 cm, green, hollow, ascending or decumbent Leaves

Basal leaves alternate, simple, heart-shaped, large lobes, 0.5-12.5 cm long, 1-19 cm wide, margins toothed or crenate, petioles 20-40 cm long; stem leaves, alternate, sessile, kidney-shaped, smaller than basal leaves,…

Basal leaves alternate, simple, heart-shaped, large lobes, 0.5-12.5 cm long, 1-19 cm wide, margins toothed or crenate, petioles 20-40 cm long; stem leaves, alternate, sessile, kidney-shaped, smaller than basal leaves, margins crenate to entire

Read More + Flowers

Inflorescence solitary or umbel-like, 2 to 7 flowers; flowers radially symmetric, 1.5 - 4 cm wide; sepals 5-9, distinct, 10-25 mm long, broadly egg-shaped or elliptic, yellow or orange, petaloid; petals absent; stamens…

Inflorescence solitary or umbel-like, 2 to 7 flowers; flowers radially symmetric, 1.5 - 4 cm wide; sepals 5-9, distinct, 10-25 mm long, broadly egg-shaped or elliptic, yellow or orange, petaloid; petals absent; stamens many, yellow; pistils 4-15, ovary superior

Read More + Fruits and Seeds Aggregate of follicles, ellipsoid, 8-15 mm long, 3-4.5 mm wide, born in clusters of 4-15, 9-12 seeds per follicle; seeds greenish, elliptic, 1.5-2.5 mm Phenology Flowers from April to July Notes

Medical uses: Leaves are poisonous, containing helliborine and protoanemonin; they must be boiled in three changes of water before eating. Chemicals in the sap may cause severe skin irritation, but historically, the…

Medical uses: Leaves are poisonous, containing helliborine and protoanemonin; they must be boiled in three changes of water before eating. Chemicals in the sap may cause severe skin irritation, but historically, the Chippewa would use C. palustris in poultices or baths for skin sores, wart removal, as well as colds.

Read More + Range/Distribution

Alberta: Central to Northern Alberta in boreal foret, aspen parkland and prairie regions CAN (BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT); USA (AK, CA, CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND,…

Alberta: Central to Northern Alberta in boreal foret, aspen parkland and prairie regions CAN (BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT); 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, SD, TN, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV); Eurasia

Read More +