Specimen record
Marsh Marigold
Caltha palustris
Description
A robust wetland perennial that forms bright golden-yellow masses along stream banks and in marshy ground in mid-spring. The shiny, buttercup-like flowers and glossy kidney-shaped leaves make this one of the most conspicuous spring wildflowers in wet habitats. Despite its common name, it is not related to true marigolds but is a member of the buttercup family.
Identification tips
- 1Glossy bright yellow flowers with 5–9 petal-like sepals (no true petals)
- 2Kidney-shaped to rounded dark green leaves with crenate margins
- 3Stems hollow and succulent, growing in clumps in standing water or saturated soil
- 4Leaves become very large (up to 18 cm) after flowering
- 5Found exclusively in very wet habitats — shallow water, seeps, and stream edges
Specimen & preservation notes
Collect a stem with flowers, buds, and a basal leaf. Blot excess water thoroughly before pressing — the succulent stems hold moisture and are prone to mold. Press between extra layers of absorbent paper and change paper daily for the first 3 days.
Habitats
Collection calendar
| Wk | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Collection notes
Season check
Observed bloom also extends into April.
Flowering records: 527 iNaturalist observations, Massachusetts · Nearby: 301 observations within 25 km