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

Marshmarigold, Twinflowered Marshmarigold, Broad-leaved Marshmarigold, Broad-leaved Caltha

Caltha leptosepala

Synoyms: Caltha biflora var. rotundifolia, Caltha leptosepala var. rotundifolia, Psychropila leptosepala

Twinflowered marshmarigold (the former variety leptosepala) as seen from High Prairie, Mt. Hood National Forest.....June 21, 2014.

Photo at right of twinflowered marshmarigold as seen from Mt Hood Meadows, Mt. Hood N.F..

Characteristics:

Marshmarigold is a low growing, beautiful perennial wildflower of very moist places. The basal leaves are long petioled and broadly rounded or kidney-shaped or oval-shaped with a dark green, shiny upper surface. The petiole is longer than the blade, which may be up to 10 cm long and wide.

The flowers are actually six to twelve white sepals. Two flowers are usually found per plant. 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.

This is a fine wildflower for the moist garden, and seems to be hardy in moist lowland gardens west of the Cascades once established. When established in thick stands, it is very attractive when in bloom.

Habitat:

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

Range:

Marshmarigold is widely distributed in mountainous areas from Alaska south through British Columbia to the Olympic Mts and Cascades of Washington and Oregon south into California. It is found eastward into Idaho, Colorado, and Utah.

Marshmarigold beginning to bloom in a ditch at the High Prairie trailhead for the trail to Lookout Mountain, Mount Hood National Forest...........June 21, 2014.

Marshmarigolds blooming in soggy habitats along cold streams along the Goat Ridge Trail #95 in upper Jordan Basin, Goat Rocks Wilderness.......July 12, 2018.

Twin-flowered marsh marigold blooming in wet meadows along a small stream along an old pack trail that climbs uphill to the northwest towards a saddle from the South Fork Conrad Creek from the upper basin loop of the South Fork River Trail #1120, Goat Rocks Wilderness.......July 21, 2016.

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Marshmarigold beginning to bloom in a ditch at the High Prairie trailhead for the trail to Lookout Mountain, Mount Hood National Forest...........June 21, 2014.

Marshmarigold still in bloom at Bottle Prairie, Mount Hood National Forest..........May 17, 2015.

Twinflowered marshmarigold (the former variety biflora) as seen from Elk Meadows, Mt. Hood Wilderness Area.......May 1987.

Paul Slichter