WSU Clark County Extension
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Marsh Marigold

Scientific name: Caltha palustris
Taxonomy
Family:Ranunculaceae
Type:Herbaceous perennials
Native:YES
Plant Requirements
Zone:3 to 8
Sun:Full sun
Moisture:Wet
Plant Characteristics
Height:2 ft
Width:2 ft
Bloom:Summer flowers
Bloom Time:July to August
Bloom Color:Yellow
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Marsh Marigold is a native herbaceous perennial that is especially attractive to the gardener with a wet area or pond bank. The bright yellow flowers light up the garden early in the spring. Also known as cow slip.

One of the first plants to bloom in spring with bright yellow flowers held above mounds of glossy green leaves. Marsh marigold lights up moist areas and will grow as a water plant, in boggy areas, or in constantly moist garden soil.In early spring hundreds of bright yellow buttercup flowers dot the green carpet of cordate foliage.

  Morphology:
This herbaceous perennial is 1’-2’ tall and as wide in rounded clump form. It bears kidney shaped leaves which are rounded to heart-shaped, mostly basal. Leaves range in width from 3”-7”. Leaves are borne on hollow stems.

Flowers first appear in April and extend into June. They are bright yellow, resembling those of the buttercup and are .5” to 1.5” wide. They have 5-6 petals arranged in a cyme.

  Adaptation:
This species is highly adapted to wet as in meadows, woods, forests marshes and stream-banks. Marsh Marigolds do tolerate periods of drought, but will go dormant and lose all their leaves.

The entire plant is poisonous.

Pest:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234