Caltha natans -
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Habit: | Perennial |
| Height: | 0.3 |
| Synonyms: | |
| Range: | North-western N. America - Alaska to Canada. E. Asia - N. China, Mongolia, Siberia. |
Caltha natans 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 natans 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 natans prefers soils
Ideal Planting Locations
Caltha natans can grow in semi or areas with no shade.Pools and streams[235].
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. It has slender floating or creeping stems that root at the nodes to form new plants[235]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54].Edible Uses*
* See disclaimerEdible 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 disclaimerMedicinal Rating: 1/5
Used in the treatment of sore throats[174].
- Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
- Expectorant - Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
- 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 knownCultivars
no recorded cultivarsReferences
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
An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970
Flora of China
Author:
Rating: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher : On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Date of Publication : 1994
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.