Marsh Marigold

(Caltha palustris)

Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)

H. Zell

CC BY-SA 3.0

Image By: H. Zell

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Caltha palustris, commonly known as Marsh Marigold, is a deciduous perennial herb native to marshes, fens, ditches, and wet woodlands in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and Asia. It typically grows 10–80 cm (3.9–31.5 in) high and is hairless, fleshy, and herbaceous, with a clump-forming habit. The plant dies back in autumn and overwinters with buds near the surface of the marshy soil. Marsh Marigold produces bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers from April to August, depending on altitude and latitude, with occasional blooms outside this period. The flowers are showy and attract many insect visitors with their nectar and abundant pollen.

Marsh Marigold is valued for its vibrant early spring flowers and its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it an excellent choice for water gardens, bog gardens, and the edges of ponds. It is also used in rain gardens for its adaptability to fluctuating water levels. In cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade, consistent moisture, and prefers soils with medium to slow drainage. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can spread aggressively in ideal conditions. Gardeners should be aware of its potential invasiveness outside its native range and check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 0.6-2 feet
Width: 1-1.5 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: Yellow
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: High
Drainage: Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Border Plant, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Marshes, fens, ditches, and wet woodlands in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere including North America, Europe, and Asia

Other Names

Common Names: Cowslip, Kingcup, Cowflock, Mayblob, Yellow Elkslip, Marsh-Marigold, Meadow Bright, Kabbeleje, Sumpf-Dotterblume, (Luhta)Rentukka

Scientific Names: , Caltha palustris, Ranunculus ficaria, Caltha palustris var. nipponica, Caltha palustris var. enkoso, Caltha palustris var. pygmaea, Caltha palustris f. decumbens, Caltha palustris subsp. thracica, Caltha coronata, Caltha confinis

GBIF Accepted Name: Caltha palustris L.