Practical
Plants

Caltha leptosepala

Western Marsh Marigold

a perennial member of the Caltha genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Caltha
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Bees, Beetles, Flies
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Beetles, Flies

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.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant, but especially the older portions, contains the toxic glycoside protoanemanin - this is destroyed by heat[5]. The sap can irritate sensitive skin[5].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Root - it must be well cooked[5]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Flower buds - raw, cooked or pickled and used as a caper substitute[13][2][5][6]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young leaves, before the flowers emerge are eaten raw or cooked[13][5][6]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Older leaves, before the plant flowers, can be eaten if well cooked[13]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant is antispasmodic and expectorant. It has been used to remove warts[5]. A poultice of the chewed roots has been applied to inflamed wounds[10].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Warts

Environment

Range
North-western N. America.
Habitat
Sub-alpine and alpine swamps and marshy meadows[12][13].
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
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in late summer[8]. Stand the pots in 2 - 3cm of water to keep the soil wet. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[4]. 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[8]. 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

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A plant of the waterside, it prefers growing in a sunny position in wet soils or shallow water[1][3][9], though it will tolerate drier conditions if there is shade from the summer sun[9]. It requires a deep rich slightly acidic soil[3][8]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are hardy to about -20c[7]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[11].

References

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

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

  10. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

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

    ↩

  12. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩

  13. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

Edit this page