Family: Ranunculaceae
cowslip, marsh-marigold, yellow marsh-marigold
Etymology: Caltha: old Greek and later Latin name for the marigold or "chalice" or "cup"
Plants: erect, perennial, 8"-24" tall forb; stems hollow, branched toward the top
Leaves: widely heart-shaped, not divided; basal leaves long-stalked, stem leaves alternate and on shorter stalks
Flowers: yellow, 5-9-parted, 1/2"-1 1/2" wide, petal-like sepals; blooms April-May
Habitat: wet; meadows, woods, forests marshes, streambanks
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 8"-24" tall forb; stems hollow, branched toward the top
Leaves: widely heart-shaped, not divided; basal leaves long-stalked, stem leaves alternate and on shorter stalks
Flowers: yellow, 5-9-parted, 1/2"-1 1/2" wide, petal-like sepals; blooms April-May
Habitat: wet; meadows, woods, forests marshes, streambanks
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Marshes, low prairies, sedge meadows, fens, along streams and ponds, ditches, seepage slopes, tamarack swamps, black ash or green ash swamps, alder thickets, and vernal pools and wet depressions in upland forests.
A common and well-known spring-blooming species, often forming large, beautiful stands in wet areas. Throughout the state, but most common in the south and east; seemingly rare throughout the northwest.
A common and well-known spring-blooming species, often forming large, beautiful stands in wet areas. Throughout the state, but most common in the south and east; seemingly rare throughout the northwest.
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 6, Wetland Indicator = OBL Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"