Caltha leptosepala - Western Marsh Marigold

Family:	Ranunculaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.3
Width:	0.3
Synonyms:	C. rotundifolia.
Range:	North-western N. America.

Caltha leptosepala (Western Marsh Marigold) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.3m and a width of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Western Marsh Marigold will flower in November to December. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, beetles, flies

Soil Information

Western Marsh Marigold will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
Western Marsh Marigold prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Western Marsh Marigold can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Sub-alpine and alpine swamps and marshy meadows[60, 85].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

A plant of the waterside, it prefers growing in a sunny position in wet soils or shallow water[1, 111, 233], though it will tolerate drier conditions if there is shade from the summer sun[233]. It requires a deep rich slightly acidic soil[111, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are hardy to about -20c[187]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Root - it must be well cooked[172]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Flower buds - raw, cooked or pickled and used as a caper substitute[85, 105, 172, 183]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young leaves, before the flowers emerge are eaten raw or cooked[85, 172, 183]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Older leaves, before the plant flowers, can be eaten if well cooked[85]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

• Flowers -
• Leaves -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The whole plant is antispasmodic and expectorant. It has been used to remove warts[172]. A poultice of the chewed roots has been applied to inflamed wounds[257].

• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
• Expectorant - Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• Warts - Used in the treatment of warts, corns etc.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in late summer[200]. Stand the pots in 2 - 3cm of water to keep the soil wet. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[138]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a tray of water in a cold frame until they are at least 15cm tall. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in early spring or autumn[200]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Known Hazards

The whole plant, but especially the older portions, contains the toxic glycoside protoanemanin - this is destroyed by heat[172]. The sap can irritate sensitive skin[172].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Hitchcock. C. L.
Author: Hitchcock. C. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1955

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.