Buck’s Native Plant Corner – White Marsh Marigold

White Marsh Marigold (Caltha leptosepala)Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae) White marsh marigold is a common sight in wet areas of Montana’s high country. The genus name Caltha comes from the Greek word “kalathos”, which means cup, or goblet, referring to the plant’s often cup or bowl-shaped flowers. Leptosepala comes from Greek and Latin roots that means “narrow” or “slender sepals”. This species is fairly basic in overall appearance. Most all of the leaves are basal, fleshy, and broadly heart to egg-shaped. The margins are sometimes wavy, and have scalloped edges, which in botanical terms are known as “crenate”. The flowers themselves lack petals entirely, instead having numerous white sepals that function the same way as petals do. The white petals are often tinged with blue beneath. Abundant yellow stamens surround the pistils in the middle. Marsh marigold grows in very wet places, often along streambanks and meadows, usually in areas where snowbanks have just receded. It can typically be found in areas where snow accumulates and stays late into the season. It usually begins blooming in June, depending on the elevation, and continues into July. This is a very high-elevation species, being found in the lower subalpine all the way up into the alpine. It can be found across much of southern and portions of western Montana. As usual, please, if you encounter this plant, leave it be to grow and do what it needs to do to reproduce. Even though it is common, it still is best left alone. It often grows in large colonies that can be quite impressive to observe. So enjoy it, take a few photos, treasure the fact that you got to see such a neat native species. By Buck Fitzhugh: July 22, 2026 - Great Falls, Mt

Buck’s Native Plant Corner – White Marsh Marigold

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