Caltha palustris
Yellow marsh marigold
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Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Caltha palustris (Yellow marsh marigold) is a non-native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by . Naturalized coastal species.
Yellow marsh marigold is a naturalized perennial found in northern coastal, northern coastal-redwood, and central coastal bioregions in roadside bogs, marsh edges, and near lakes and streams at elevations of 900 to 3,300 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in small clusters of 1 to 7 blooms. Growing 10 to 70 centimeters tall with erect stems, it develops broad leaves with petioles longer than the leaf blades. Its leaves range from 2 to 20 centimeters wide, with edges that are entire, crenate, or slightly dentate. The fruit develops into 6 to 16 elongated pods, each 12 to 20 millimeters long with a straight or slightly curved beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with 0 sympatric species. Naturalized coastal species.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Roadside bogs, edges of marshes, swamps, lakes, streams
Elevation: 900-3300 m
California counties: Sonoma, Mendocino, Marin, Contra Costa
Outside California: Oregon to Alaska, Alberta to Ontario, North Carolina
Bloom period
Caltha palustris blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Ranunculus: Caltha has thick, succulent stems and kidney-shaped leaves; Ranunculus has thinner stems and most species have divided or deeply lobed leaves.; vs Anemone: Caltha leaves are simple and undivided from the base; Anemone has compound leaves divided into separate leaflets.; vs Oxalis: Caltha has yellow/white flowers with showy sepals; Oxalis has clover-like trifoliate leaves and 5-petaled flowers.; vs Aquilegia: Caltha has simple undivided leaves; Aquilegia has compound leaves divided into rounded leaflets.; vs Coptis: Caltha has simple heart-shaped leaves; Coptis has compound leaves divided into 3+ toothed leaflets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Caltha palustris native to California?
No. Caltha palustris is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Caltha palustris bloom?
Caltha palustris blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Caltha palustris grow?
Caltha palustris occurs in Sonoma, Mendocino, Marin, Contra Costa, at elevations of 900-3300 m.
What plant family does Caltha palustris belong to?
Caltha palustris is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Caltha.
What habitat does Caltha palustris grow in?
Caltha palustris grows in Roadside bogs, edges of marshes, swamps, lakes, streams.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.