Caltha palustris ‘Marsh Marigold’ [Ex. Norfolk] 100+ SEEDS

Caltha palustris ‘Marsh Marigold’

[Ex. Norfolk]

Ranunculaceae: a widespread perennial with stout, hollow stems to 20cm. found on damp woodland. Marshes and wet meadows. The flowers are bright yellows and up to 30mm across, appearing from March-July. The leaves are kidney-shaped and shiny. Widespread and locally common. Native to the temperate zone of Europe, including Britain, North America and Asia.

USES:

The root can be eaten but must be well cooked. The raw root should not be eaten. Some caution to toxicity. The flower buds and young leaves can be eaten raw, cooked or pickled and used as a caper substitute. Eating the raw flower buds are said to cause intoxication.

Every part of this plant is strongly irritant and so it should be used with caution. The whole plant has anodyne, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and rubefacient properties. It has been used to remove warts and is also used in the treatment of fits and anaemia. The root has antirheumatic, diaphoretic, emetic and expectorant properties. A decoction is used in the treatment of colds. A poultice of the boiled and mashed roots has been applied to sores. A tea made from the leaves is diuretic and laxative. All parts of the plant can irritate or blister the skin or mucous membranes.

A yellow dye can be obtained from the flowers, but it is not very permanent.

GROWING INFORMATION:

A plant of the waterside, it prefers growing in a sunny position in wet soils or shallow water up to 15cm deep, though it will tolerate drier conditions if there is shade from the summer sun. Requires a deep rich slightly alkaline soil. A very ornamental plant and a good bee plant. Seed should be sown in the autumn as it requires a period of chilling to break dormancy. Plants often self-sow if they are happy.

HARVESTED: 2016.

APPROX. 100+ SEEDS