Practical
Plants

Caltha palustris

Marsh Marigold

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.

The whole plant, but especially the older portions, contains the toxic glycoside protoanemonin - this is destroyed by heat[9]. The sap can irritate sensitive skin[9].

Edible uses

Root - must be well cooked[10]. The raw root should not be eaten[K]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Flower buds - raw, cooked or pickled and used as a caper substitute[6][10]. Eating the raw flower buds can lead to intoxication[17]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young leaves - raw or cooked[12][23][25][26][7]. The leaves are harvested in the spring as the plant is coming into flower and is used like spinach after cooking in two or more changes of water[12][10]. Eating the raw leaves can lead to intoxication[17]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Older leaves, before the plant flowers, can be eaten if they are well cooked[9]. 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.

Every part of this plant is strongly irritant and so it should be used with caution[22]. The whole plant is anodyne, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and rubefacient[15][9]. It has been used to remove warts and is also used in the treatment of fits and anaemia[22][15][9]. The root is antirheumatic, diaphoretic, emetic and expectorant[16][17]. A decoction is used in the treatment of colds[20]. A poultice of the boiled and mashed roots has been applied to sores[20]. A tea made from the leaves is diuretic and laxative[17][20]. All parts of the plant can irritate or blister the skin or mucous membranes[17].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Irritant
Product or use
Rubefacient
Product or use
Warts

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[[2][4], a saffron substitute[6]. It is used as a dye when mixed with alum, though it is not very permanent[22]. Plants can be grown for ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each way[14].

Product or use
Dye

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
Much of the northern Temperate zone in Europe, including Britain, N. America and Asia.
Habitat
Wet areas in marshes, fens, ditches and wet alder woods[8][11]. Rare on very base poor peat[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
aquatic
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in late summer[13]. Stand the pots in 2 - 3cm of water to keep the soil wet. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[5]. 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[13]. 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 the waterside, it prefers growing in a sunny position in wet soils or shallow water up to 15cm deep[1][3][18], though it will tolerate drier conditions if there is shade from the summer sun[18]. Another report says that it grows best in partial shade[8]. Requires a deep rich slightly alkaline soil[21][3]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a chalky soil[21]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.8 to 7.5. A very ornamental[1] and polymorphic plant[8], there are some named varieties[18]. Plants often self-sow when well sited[14]. A good bee plant[19]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[24]. This species is probably the most primitive flower in the British flora[8].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  4. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩

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

    ↩

  6. Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-12-136450-x

    ↩1↩2

  7. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩

  8. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩

  12. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  14. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  15. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  16. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

  17. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  19. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  21. Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

    ↩1↩2

  22. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  23. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

  25. Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00

    ↩

  26. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩

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