Caltha leptosepala
| Caltha leptosepala | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Caltha leptosepala (common name: western marsh marigold)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in late summer[1]. Stand the pots in 2 - 3cm of water to keep the soil wet. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a tray of water in a cold frame until they are at least 15cm tall. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.
Division in early spring or autumn[1]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.
Cultivation: A plant of the waterside, it prefers growing in a sunny position in wet soils or shallow water[3][4][5], though it will tolerate drier conditions if there is shade from the summer sun[5]. It requires a deep rich slightly acidic soil[4][1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.
Plants are hardy to about -20c[6].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[7].
Range: North-western N. America.
Habitat: Sub-alpine and alpine swamps and marshy meadows[8][9].
Edibility: Root - it must be well cooked[10]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Flower buds - raw, cooked or pickled and used as a caper substitute[9][11][10][12]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Young leaves, before the flowers emerge are eaten raw or cooked[9][10][12]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Older leaves, before the plant flowers, can be eaten if well cooked[9]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicinal: The whole plant is antispasmodic and expectorant. It has been used to remove warts[10]. A poultice of the chewed roots has been applied to inflamed wounds[13].
Pollinators: Bees, beetles, flies
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: The whole plant, but especially the older portions, contains the toxic glycoside protoanemanin - this is destroyed by heat[10]. The sap can irritate sensitive skin[10].
Also Known As: C. rotundifolia.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Harrington, Harold. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press, 1967.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Schofield, Janice. Discovering Wild Plants.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.