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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Caltha palustris is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from March to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, beetles, flies.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Ground Cover; Pond; Bog Garden;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Root
Edible Uses:
Root - must be well cooked[183]. The raw root should not be eaten[K]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Flower buds - raw, cooked or pickled and used as a caper substitute[142, 183]. Eating the raw flower buds can lead to intoxication[222]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young leaves - raw or cooked[2, 46, 55, 62, 161]. The leaves are harvested in the spring as the plant is coming into flower and is used like spinach after cooking in two or more changes of water[2, 183]. Eating the raw leaves can lead to intoxication[222]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Older leaves, before the plant flowers, can be eaten if they are well cooked[172]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anodyne Antirheumatic Antispasmodic Diaphoretic Diuretic Expectorant Irritant Rubefacient
Warts
Every part of this plant is strongly irritant and so it should be used with caution[4]. The whole plant is anodyne, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and rubefacient[21, 172]. It has been used to remove warts and is also used in the treatment of fits and anaemia[4, 21, 172]. The root is antirheumatic, diaphoretic, emetic and expectorant[218, 222]. A decoction is used in the treatment of colds[257]. A poultice of the boiled and mashed roots has been applied to sores[257]. A tea made from the leaves is diuretic and laxative[222, 257]. All parts of the plant can irritate or blister the skin or mucous membranes[222].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Dye
A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[[100, 115], a saffron substitute[142]. It is used as a dye when mixed with alum, though it is not very permanent[4]. Plants can be grown for ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each way[208].
Special Uses
Ground cover Attracts Wildlife
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
A plant of the waterside, it prefers growing in a sunny position in wet soils or shallow water up to 15cm deep[1, 111, 233], though it will tolerate drier conditions if there is shade from the summer sun[233]. Another report says that it grows best in partial shade[17]. Requires a deep rich slightly alkaline soil[31, 111]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a chalky soil[31]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.8 to 7.5. A very ornamental[1] and polymorphic plant[17], there are some named varieties[233]. Plants often self-sow when well sited[208]. A good bee plant[24]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54]. This species is probably the most primitive flower in the British flora[17].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant 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.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russian Federation-Far East (Far East), China (n. & w.), Japan TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India (north), Nepal NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan), United States (Alaska, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (north), France, Portugal (north)
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
17200
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