Seasonal Wild Flowers

Marsh Marigold

Caltha palustris

Ranunculaceae

Kingcup

March to June

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Marsh Marigold

Marsh marigolds are found in wet meadows and pastures,

willow and alder carr (boggy ground) and field ditches, and

by freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, canals and lakes.

Marsh Marigold is a robust, native, perennial, clump-

forming herb growing up to 45cm.

The flowers are up to 5cm across with 5-8 bright, shiny,

yellow sepals (not petals) and a lot of yellow stamens.

Leaves are broad, kidney-shaped and dark green.

Stems are branched, thick, and green and purple.

The Marsh Marigold fringing Malham Tarn (picture 7)

is probably the small form, C. palustris var. radicans,

which grows by lake shores in northern England.

Marsh Marigold by the Lancaster canal

Yellow anthers, green carpels

Flower - side view, stamens

Normal leaf

Upper leaf and stem branching

Robust purplish stems

Marsh Marigold fringing Malham Tarn