Caltha leptosepala howellii

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

The whole plant, but especially the older portions, contains the toxic glycoside protoanemanin - this is destroyed by heat^[3]. The sap can irritate sensitive skin^[3].

Root - cooked. A survival food, used when all else fails^[3]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Flower buds - cooked. Added to stews etc or pickled as capers^[3]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young leaves - cooked. Best before the plant flowers^[3]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part: Flowers

Plant part: Leaves

Plant part: Root

Environment

Range

Western N. America - Alaska to California.

Habitat

Wet alpine and sub-alpine places^[7]. Bogs and wet ground by streams, 1500 - 3000 metres^[4].

Light

full sun

Shade tolerance

light shade

Water

aquatic

Hardiness

Zone 3+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay

Soil pH

acid, neutral

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

Drought

intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in late summer^[5]. Stand the pots in 2 - 3cm of water to keep the soil wet. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c^[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a tray of water in a cold frame until they are at least 15cm tall. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in early spring or autumn^[5]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Cultivation

A plant of boggy soils and shallow pond margins^[1], it requires a deep rich slightly acidic soil^[5]. It grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are hardy to about -20°c^[4]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes^[6]. There is some disagreement over the correct name for this species, with some authorities calling it C. howellii.

References

F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

↩

Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

↩

Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

↩1 ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

↩1 ↩2

Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

↩1 ↩2 ↩3

Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4