Yellow Marsh Marigold

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score

0

Native Status

✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON

Closest Direction

Local

CEC Eco-Regions

5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians

Rarity Notes

Secure in both Ontario (S5) and Quebec (S5). Globally ranked G5. Not listed under SARA. Common in the Ottawa region and sparse but present in the Hull-Gatineau area. Widespread across all Canadian provinces and territories except Nunavut.

S22 S26 S62 S63 S1

Rarity Ranks

QC S5 – Secure, ON S5 – Secure

Migration

Stable

Ecological Context

Caltha palustris is a characteristic species of saturated wetland soils, occupying stream margins, marshy hollows, swamps, fens, seeps, and vernal pools in low woodlands. In the Outaouais it occurs in cedar swamps, alder thickets, and deciduous floodplain forests. It thrives where groundwater seepage maintains consistent soil saturation and is one of the earliest spring-blooming wetland herbs, providing critical early pollen and nectar for bees and flies.

S10 S7 S48 S68

Permaculture & Companion Planting

Roles

Fire Retardant, Fortress/Barrier, Pollinator Attractor

S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fire Retardant: S73 [MEDIUM]: S11 Fire Tolerance = High (not definitional)] | Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [MEDIUM]: S68 16 bee associations (threshold=3)]

Notes

PFAF notes Caltha palustris is a greedy plant that inhibits the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes. This competitive trait makes it best suited to dedicated wetland guilds where its aggressive groundcover role is an asset rather than a liability. Site it with other robust wetland natives that can tolerate its competitive root zone.

S29

Medicinal Properties

ℹ

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any plant for medicinal purposes. The information provided is compiled from secondary sources for educational purposes only.

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Category

Anodyne, Antirheumatic, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Rubefacient

S29 S28

Notes

Chippewa used root decoctions as a diaphoretic, expectorant, and emetic for colds, and poultices of boiled roots for sores and scrofula. Iroquois used root infusions as an emetic. The whole plant is strongly irritant; all parts can blister skin or mucous membranes. Health Canada lists Caltha palustris as an approved herbal name under Schedule 1.

S28 S29 S36

Edibility & Foraging

ℹ

Never ingest a plant unless you have 100% certainty of its identity and have consulted multiple reputable sources. The information provided in the Localeaf Plant Database is compiled from secondary sources for educational and historical purposes only.

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✅ Edible   

Foraging Notes

Young leaves and stems are edible only after thorough boiling in multiple changes of water to destroy protoanemonin. Used historically as spring greens by Abnaki, Chippewa, Iroquois, Menominee, Mohegan, and Ojibwa peoples. Flower buds can be pickled as a caper substitute. Roots must be well cooked before consumption. Raw plant parts cause intoxication and GI distress.

S28 S29 S4

Toxicity

⚠️ Moderate Toxicity

Contains protoanemonin, a toxic glycoside concentrated in older plant parts. Contact with sap can cause skin blistering and irritation of mucous membranes. Ingestion of raw plant material causes burning of the throat, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dizziness, and convulsions. Protoanemonin is destroyed by heat, so thorough cooking renders the plant edible. Cornell lists leaves as the primary poisonous part.

S38 S29 S4

Seed Source

• Akene
• Prairie Moon