[Marsh Marigolds: The Genus Caltha in Mt. Adams Country]

Elkslip, Elkslip Marshmarigold, White Marsh Marigold

Caltha leptosepala

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

Elkslip marshmarigold blooming along a small creek in the uppermost mile of the Shorthhorn Trail #12, Mt. Adams Wilderness.....July 10, 2020.

Sepals of Elkslip, Elkslip Marsh-marigold, White Marsh-marigold: Caltha leptosepala (Synonyms: Caltha biflora var. rotundifolia, Caltha leptosepala var. rotundifolia, Psychropila 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:

Caltha leptosepala 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 ssp. howellii. 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:

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

Range:

Caltha leptosepala 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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Elkslip marshmarigold blooming in wet meadows above Killen Creek, Mt. Adams Wilderness......August 28, 2020.

Elkslip marshmarigold in wet meadows at left along upper Crooked Creek, Bird Creek Meadows, Mt. Adams, Yakama Nation lands...........September 2, 2017. The photo at right shows a very late blooming elkslip marshmarigold in meadows along the Bluff Lake Trail about one-half mile above Bluff Lake, Yakama Nation lands at Bird Creek Meadows.......October 1, 2020.

The photo above shows the narrow leaf of elkslip marshmarigold as seen along the upper South Loop Rd at the Steens Mt..........June 25, 2000.

Elkslip marshmarigold as seen along a small stream adjacent to the Round the Mt. Trail #9 in Bird Creek Meadows.........August 13, 2006.

The photo above shows the long leaf blade and long petiole of the plant pictured directly above this one...........August 13, 2006.

Elkslip marshmarigold in wet meadows along the upper South Loop Rd at the Steens Mt............June 25, 2000. The plants occupy an area where snow drifts lie late into the summer along the loop road.

The photo above shows the flower of elkslip marshmarigold as seen along the upper South Loop Rd at the Steens Mt.........June 25, 2000.

Paul Slichter