Caltha leptosepala howellii -

Family:	Ranunculaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.3
Width:	0.3
Synonyms:	C. biflora. DC. C. howellii. Greene.
Range:	Western N. America - Alaska to California.

Caltha leptosepala howellii () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.3m and a width of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Caltha leptosepala howellii 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

Caltha leptosepala howellii 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
Caltha leptosepala howellii prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Caltha leptosepala howellii can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Wet alpine and sub-alpine places[60]. Bogs and wet ground by streams, 1500 - 3000m[187].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

A plant of boggy soils and shallow pond margins[1], it requires a deep rich slightly acidic soil[200]. It grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54]. There is some disagreement over the correct name for this species, with some authorities calling it C. howellii.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Root - cooked. A survival food, used when all else fails[172]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Flower buds - cooked. Added to stews etc or pickled as capers[172]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young leaves - cooked. Best before the plant flowers[172]. 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: 0/5
None known

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

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