Caltha palustris L.
Cowflock
Marsh-marigold, also called kingcup, is a robust native perennial of the buttercup family and one of the showiest flowers of early spring wetlands. It forms bold clumps of glossy, rounded to kidney-shaped dark green leaves on succulent, hollow stems, topped with large, cup-shaped, waxy golden-yellow flowers that look like giant buttercups and shine brightly in the spring sunshine.
About
Marsh-marigold, also called kingcup, is a robust native perennial of the buttercup family and one of the showiest flowers of early spring wetlands. It forms bold clumps of glossy, rounded to kidney-shaped dark green leaves on succulent, hollow stems, topped with large, cup-shaped, waxy golden-yellow flowers that look like giant buttercups and shine brightly in the spring sunshine.
It is a plant of consistently wet ground, thriving in marshes, fens, wet meadows, ditches, pond and stream margins and damp woodland throughout Britain. Ideal for the edges of ponds, bog gardens and wet wildflower areas, it copes with standing water and rich, mucky soils where many plants would rot. Flowering early, often from spring into early summer, it is a valuable nectar and pollen source for emerging bees, hoverflies and beetles at a time when little else is in bloom along the water's edge.
Also known as
Cowslip · Giant Kingcup · Kingcup · Marsh Marigold · Marsh-marigold · Mayblob · Meadow-bright · Yellow Marsh Marigold · common marsh marigold
Synonyms
Caltha alba · Caltha alpina · Caltha asarifolia · Caltha confinis · Caltha coronata · Caltha crenata · Caltha dentata · Caltha emodorum · Caltha ficarioides · Caltha freyniana · Caltha glabra
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.