Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

To view the natural range of Caltha palustris visit the USDSA Natural Resources Conservation Service website.
Marsh Marigold brighten the garden in early spring
Inside this six sided star Marsh Marigold seeds are forming


Cultivation Information Caltha palustris

Height - 1 to 2 ftFlower Color - Yellow to humans but but bees see red petalsBlooms - May - JuneSun - Full to ShadeHardy Zone - 2 to 7Soil - Moist to wet
Organic Material - Include compost or leaf much when planting, adding an additional amount later in the season. This protects the Marsh Marigold plant when it goes dormant early in the summer.
pH - 5.0 to 6.5
Family - Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family
Toxicity- Leaves in large quantities are toxic. However, several sources indicate that early settlers ate Marsh Marigold leaves early in the spring as a replacement for spinach. Considering, how difficult it is to locate this plant it seems wise to propagate it for environmental reasons and grow your own spinach.
Over the Years - We have had several Marsh Marigold plants growing in a moist partly sunny location for several years now. I have left the seeds on the plant hoping
Propagation Notes Caltha palustris
Stratifying Seeds
Seeds placed in Cold Moist Storage Supplies Needed For Seed Stratification - 1. Zip lock plastic bag2. Few table spoons of Vermiculite3. Dampened vermiculite - not soggy4. Store in refrigerator for 60 days before sowing
Buds forming on Caltha palustris
Wildlife Significance Marsh Marigold
Nectar & Pollen Attracts - Flies, bees, Giant Bee flies, Syrphid flies, Halictid bees, honey bees and more. Pollinated mainly by Sryphid flies Seed Attreacts - Ducks game birds and is eaten by chipmunks and other small rodents. Deer - Not fond of Marsh MarigoldDetailed Information - Visit Illinois Wildflower website
Marsh Marigold on the left seed pod forming on right
Propagation Notes Marsh Marigold
Our Marsh Marigold Seed 2019 - Morphological dormancy
Marsh Marigold displays morphological dormancy, meaning the embryo in the seed must fully mature before cold stratification is initiated, in the case of Marsh Marigold a moist cold period of at least 60 days is recommended. In nature, the time frame where the seed finishes maturing occurs after it falls from the flower, spends several months in warm, moist garden soil then finally endures the harsh realities of winter.
Not fully understanding that plants in Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) Family displayed this type of double dormancy, the seed was collected once they were dark in color then immediately placed in cold moist storage for 60 days. I unknowingly interrupted their natural growth cycle.
 After the sixty days of cold moist storage was complete, seeds were planted on the soil surface, held under florescent lights at 65° for 30 day. Germination did not occur. These seeds, which were now in potting soil, were placed in an unheated garage for 30 additional days.
Surprisingly, seedlings emerged 3 days after being transfered to a room temperature of 65° F during the day and 63° F at night
Seed Provenance Caltha palustris
Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona, MN - 2013 Nodding Onion Gardens 2015 to present