[Marsh Marigolds: The Genus Caltha East of the Cascade Mts. of Oregon and Washington]

Elkslip Marshmarigold, White Marsh Marigold

Caltha leptosepala var. leptosepala

Synonyms: Caltha biflora var. rotundifolia, Caltha chelidonii, Caltha leptosepala ssp. leptosepala var. leptosepala, Caltha leptosepala var. rotundifolia, Psychrophila leptosepala

Elkslip marshmarigold in wet meadows along the upper South Loop Rdabout one mile downhill from the East Rim Viewpoint at the Steens Mt............August 31, 2011. The plants occupy an area where snow drifts lie late into the summer along the loop road.

Blue-tinged sepals of Elkslip Marshmarigold, White Marsh Marigold: Caltha leptosepala var. leptosepala (Synonyms: Caltha biflora var. rotundifolia, Caltha chelidonii, Caltha leptosepala ssp. leptosepala var. leptosepala, Caltha leptosepala var. rotundifolia, Psychrophila leptosepala)

Photo at right of elkslip marshmarigold as seen along the upper South Loop Rd at the Steens Mt............June 25, 2000. Note the bluish exterior surface of the sepals.

Characteristics:

Elkslip marshmarigold (var. leptosepala) is a low growing, beautiful perennial wildflower of very moist places. It typically has a single flower on the stem and has narrower leaves than its almost identical cousin, Caltha leptosepala var. biflora. The basal leaves are long petioled (the petioles from shorter than to 2-3 times longer than the blades) with a dark green, shiny upper surface. The blades are oblong-ovate in shape and up to 6 cm long and less than two-thirds as wide. The margins range from nearly entire to toothed.

The flowers are actually six to twelve white sepals. The outer surface may be lined with blue, giving a patch of this marshmarigold an icy appearance when in bloom. Petals are lacking. The yellow stamens and greenish pistils are centrally located and both are numerous. Marshmarigolds bloom within weeks of the snow melting. The fruits are many seeded pods.

Habitat:

Elkslip marshmarigold is found in very moist areas, including streambanks, moist meadows, and seeps from montane forests into the alpine zone.

Range:

Elkslip marshmarigold is widely distributed in mountainous areas from Alaska south through the Rocky Mts. to Colorado, Utah and possibly Arizona. It is found westward to northeastern Nevada and southeastern Oregon.

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A basal leaf of elkslip marshmarigold (longer than wide) and a view of a whole plant as seen along the upper South Loop Rd at the Steens Mt............June 25, 2000.

Elkslip marshmarigold as seen along the South Loop Rd about one downhill to the west of the East Rim Viewpoint, Steens Mountain............July 9, 2014.

Elkslip marshmarigold in bloom along a small side creek crossing the Hanan Trail #142, Fremont-Winema National Forest......June 17, 2020.

Basal leaf of Elkslip Marshmarigold, White Marsh Marigold: Caltha leptosepala var. leptosepala (Synonyms: Caltha biflora var. rotundifolia, Caltha chelidonii, Caltha leptosepala ssp. leptosepala var. leptosepala, Caltha leptosepala var. rotundifolia, Psychrophila leptosepala) -

A basal leaf of elkslip marshmarigold (longer than wide) and a view of a whole plant as seen along the upper South Loop Rd at the Steens Mt............June 25, 2000.

Paul Slichter