Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

To view the natural range of Caltha palustris visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website.
Marsh Marigold brighten the garden in early spring

Cultivation Information Caltha palustris

Inside this six sided star Marsh Marigold seeds are forming
Height - 1 to 2 ftFlower Color - YellowBlooms - May - JuneSun - Full to Part ShadeHardy Zone - 2 to 7 Perennial Soil - 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
Seed Provenance Caltha palustris
Prairie Moon Nursery, Winona, MN - 2013 Nodding Onion Gardens 2015 to present, Wildflower Farm, Coldwater, ON 2023
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 Attracts - 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 were collected once they were dark, 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 transferred to a room temperature of 65° F during the day and 63° F at night
Surprisingly, seedlings emerged 3 days after being transferred to a room temperature of 65° F during the day and 63° F at night
Ohio Department of Agriculture Nursery Inspection 2010 - 2023
© 2023 Nodding Onion Gardens, LLCColumbia Station, Ohio 44028I