Marsh Marigold
- Iñupiaq name: Unavailable
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Scientific name: Caltha palustris
- Distinguishing characteristics: Mounded 1-2 foot tall herbaceous plant with a thick, hollow, branched stem. Green leaves are heart shaped and sparse. Striking shiny yellow flowers have 5 yellow sepals with a greenish center resembling a buttercup.
- Similar species: Marsh marigold looks similar to another poisonous plant, snow buttercup - since both produce five yellow petals, they are difficult to distinguish. Your best bet in identification is to look at the height of the plant; marsh marigold grows tall on long stems, while snow buttercup grows to be only a few inches tall.
- Habitat: Submerged in ponds or very moist areas, often found on banks of streams.
- Best time to harvest: Greens are best gathered in early spring when the flowers are still wrapped tight in their round, button-like buds.
- Uses: The long white roots are eaten boiled. Leaves can ONLY be eaten when cooked, but must be boiled with several water changes, as they are highly poisonous when raw.
![Marsh Marigold](/cms4/asset/6F99D1CE-DBE7-F3DE-66600231C5B6FB5C/caltha_palustris1[1598537488].jpg)
Photo via Alaska Wildflowers
![Marsh Marigold](/cms4/asset/6F99D1CE-DBE7-F3DE-66600231C5B6FB5C/caltha_palustris3[1598537488].jpg)
Photo via Alaska Wildflowers
![Marsh Marigold](/cms4/asset/6F99D1CE-DBE7-F3DE-66600231C5B6FB5C/caltha_palustris2[1598537488].jpg)
Photo by James Reveal