Bloomipedia
Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)
Photo: Michael Nerrie via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Marsh marigold

Caltha palustris

Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) is a flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–May across the U.S.

Native in the lower 48

Marsh marigold is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 9 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–May.

31states where USDA records it
9Bloomipedia state lists include it
25,166U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Alaska, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Wisconsin

Quick look

Caltha palustris, known as marsh-marigold and kingcup, is a small to medium sized perennial herbaceous plant of the buttercup family, native to marshes, fens, ditches and wet woodland in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It flowers between April and August, dependent on altitude and latitude, but occasional flowers may occur at other times.

  • It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 31 states. USDA PLANTS
  • In Michigan, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–June. iNaturalist
  • In Minnesota, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–June. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as yellow. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as mid spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 2 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 4,095 research-grade sightings of it in Michigan, ranking #20 among the 172 flowers on our Michigan list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 3,693 research-grade sightings of it in Minnesota, ranking #15 among the 152 flowers on our Minnesota list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 3,148 research-grade sightings of it in Wisconsin, ranking #36 among the 161 flowers on our Wisconsin list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (6,594 records)
Bloom time in the 9 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
MichiganNativeApril–June4,095
MinnesotaNativeApril–June3,693
WisconsinNativeApril–May3,148
New YorkNativeApril–May2,534
VermontNativeApril–May2,274
MassachusettsNativeApril–May1,611
ConnecticutNativeApril–May688
AlaskaNativeMay–July469
New HampshireNativeApril–May400

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
State rare plant lists
Not listed Not on the official rare plant list in 8 of our 9 states.
See each state
Michigan
Not listed Not on Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Michigan. R 299.1028
Minnesota
Not listed Not on Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Minnesota. Minn. R. 6134.0300
Wisconsin
Not listed Not on Wisconsin endangered and threatened species list (Wis. Admin. Code NR 27.03). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Wisconsin. NR 27.03
New York
Not listed Not on New York protected native plants (6 NYCRR § 193.3). NatureServe: S5, secure in New York. 6 NYCRR § 193.3
Vermont
Not listed Not on Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022). NatureServe: S5, secure in Vermont. Vermont E&T list
Massachusetts
Not listed Not on Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Massachusetts. MESA list
Connecticut
Not listed Not on Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Connecticut. CT E/T/SC list
New Hampshire
Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Hampshire. NH Ncr 312
Alaska
No list Alaska has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alaska ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Alaska.
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: DE (S2), MO (S1), NE (S2), TN (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleCaution: partly edible, partly poisonous

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: low). Poisonous parts: leaves. Symptoms they list: “This plant can be toxic and ingesting large amounts of the plant's leaves can lead to burning of the throat, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, and convulsions. No part of this plant should ever be eaten raw.” They also note: “Spring greens, in small quantities and properly prepared, for salads.” NC State Extension

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records marsh marigold in 31 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Michigan counties with USDA records: Alcona, Alger, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Baraga, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Clinton, Crawford, Delta, Eaton, Emmet, Genesee, Gladwin, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Houghton, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Iosco, Iron, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Keweenaw, Lake, Lapeer, Leelanau, Lenawee, Livingston, Luce, Mackinac, Macomb, Manistee, Marquette, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Schoolcraft, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Tuscola, Washtenaw, Wayne, Wexford.

Minnesota counties with USDA records: Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Nicollet, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Rice, Roseau, Scott, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine.

Wisconsin counties with USDA records: Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Marsh marigold a high shade tolerance, none drought tolerance and high moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 4.9 to 6.8 and winter lows down to -38 °F.

Shade tolerance
High
Drought tolerance
None
Moisture use
High
Soil textures it is adapted to
medium, fine
Soil pH range
4.9 to 6.8
Minimum temperature tolerated
-38 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
80
Annual precipitation range
30 to 60 inches
Minimum root depth
8 inches
Salinity tolerance
None
Fertility requirement
Medium
Growth rate
Slow
Lifespan
Moderate
Active growth period
Spring
Fruit or seed
Brown · Summer to Summer
Can be propagated by
container, seed
Commercial availability
Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for CAPA5. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Alaska: Native; Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 629 counties across 28 states; the most are in Michigan (78), Wisconsin (66), Minnesota (64).

Other Caltha on Bloomipedia (1): Rocky mountain marsh-marigold.

More from the Ranunculaceae family (48 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Lesser celandine, Rue anemone, Red columbine, Wood anemone, Western columbine, White baneberry, Round-lobed hepatica, Red baneberry.

More Michigan flowers

Red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Red columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

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🌼 Blooms in MI: May–June
White baneberry (Actaea pachypoda)

White baneberry

Actaea pachypoda

Native

🌼 Blooms in MI: May–June
Round-lobed hepatica (Hepatica americana)

Round-lobed hepatica

Hepatica americana

Native

🌼 Blooms in MI: April–May

Sources