Flower ID: IMG_0046.JPG-05-05-2018 Flower name (scientific): Caltha palustris Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) KAL-tha pal-US-triss Flower name (common): Marsh Marigold Family name (common): Buttercup Family name (scientific): Ranunculaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From old Latin caltha, a name used for a marigold by Pliny, and from the Greek for goblet or chalice, referencing the shape of the flowers. Specific epithet: Latin for swampy or marshy, referring to the habitat where this species is commonly found. Common name origin: From its customary habitat and its resemblance to the common marigold Calendula officinalis. Flower description: Size: 0.7 to 1.5 inches (1.8 to 3.8 cm) Petal count: 5 sepals (can be 5 to 9) Color: yellow Other: flower arrangement, Cluster-flat Plant description: Size: 8 to 24 inches (20 to 61 cm) Stem hairy: glabrous Other: Leaf description: attachment is basal and alternate, type is simple Size: Basal leaves are about 2 to 12 cm long and typically about 2 to 10 cm or more wide. Color: medium green Hairy: glabrous Other: Shape: leaf, (basal) rounded to ovate, reniform, or cordate (FNA), (cauline) orbicular-cordate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): April to May Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Wet meadows and woods, swamps, marshes, streambanks, sun or part shade. Fruit: Follicles green turning brownish colored at maturity, about 5 to 15 mm, and spreading. Seed: About 1.5 to 2.5 mm in length and elliptical in shape. Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Ranunculus ficaria is similar, but this species has only been reported in a couple of southern Wisconsin counties, though the FNA distribution map reports it as absent in Wisconsin and in Minnesota. Ethnobotany: The Menominee employ this plant as a green vegetable (Smith, p. 70, 1923). The Ojibwe also used the plant as a green vegetable (Smith, p. 408, 1932). The Chippewa prepared a poultice from the roots, which they used to treat stubborn sores (Gilmore, p. 130, 1933). Latitude: 44.794557 Longitude: -91.491847 Altitude: 283.60 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, 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) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, CA, CT, DE, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): POWO lists 4 homotypic synonyms for this species. Heterotypic Synonym(s): na Autonym(): Caltha palustris var. palustris (Other infraspecifics are Caltha palustris var. barthei Hance, Caltha palustris var. himalaica Tamura, Caltha palustris var. umbrosa Diels. None of these three varieties have been recorded in North America.) Wetland Status (NC): OBL Wetland Status (MW): OBL