White mountain marsh-marigold - Caltha biflora
Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family) [E-flora]
- Protoanemanin Root, Flower Buds, Young Leaves
Characteristics
"Caltha leptosepala howellii is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 3. It is in flower from May to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, beetles, flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water."
[PFAF]
- Synonyms:
- C. biflora. DC. [PFAF]
- C. howellii. Greene.[PFAF]
- Caltha leptosepala subsp. howellii [E-flora]
- General: Perennial herb from a short, thick stem-base with fibrous roots; stems erect, 5-40 cm tall; plants smooth, fleshy. [IFBC-E-flora]
- Leaves: Basal leaves waxy green, the blades oblong egg-shaped to circular or kidney-shaped, 2-12 cm long, margins wavy coarse-toothed, round-toothed, or nearly entire; long-stalked (2-25 cm). [IFBC-E-flora]
- Flowers: Inflorescence a 1- or 2- (4-) flowered, terminal cyme, the flowers 2-4 cm wide; flower stalks erect, usually leafless or with 1 leaf; petals absent; sepals 6 to 12, white or greenish, tinged bluish on outside, oblong, 8.5-23 mm long; stamens 50 or more. [IFBC-E-flora]
- Fruits: Follicles, 4 to 15, spreading, linear-oblong, 10-20 mm long, 3-4.5 mm wide; beaks straight or curved, 0.5-1.8 mm long; seeds brown, elliptic, 1.9-2.5 mm long, surface longitudinally wrinkled or grooved. [IFBC-E-flora]
- Habitat/Range: Wet to moist meadows, bogs, fens, streambanks and seepage sites from the lowland to alpine zones; common in W BC, west of the Coast-Cascade Mountains (var. biflora), frequent throughout BC except Queen Charlotte Islands and adjacent coast (var. leptosepala); N to SW AK and S YK, E to AB and S to NM, AZ and CA. [IFBC-E-flora]
- Status: Native [E-flora]
Notes:
Two varieties occur in BC:
1. Leaves longer than wide, the margins more sharp-toothed than round-toothed; flowers usually 1 per stem; subalpine and alpine......................... var. leptosepala
1. Leaves nearly as wide as long, the margins subentire to broadly round-toothed; flowers mostly 2 per stem; lowland to subalpine........................... var. biflora (DC.) Lawson [IFBC-E-flora]
Hazard:
- "The whole plant, but especially the older portions, contains the toxic glycoside protoanemanin - this is destroyed by heat[172]. The sap can irritate sensitive skin[172]." [PFAF]
Edible Uses
- Root: Root - cooked. A survival food, used when all else fails[172]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. [PFAF]
- Flower Buds: Flower buds - cooked. Added to stews etc or pickled as capers[172]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. [PFAF] Buds eaten raw, cooked or pickled and used as a caper substitute and fermented for wine making. [EMNMPV.8]
- Young Leaves: Young leaves - cooked. Best before the plant flowers[172]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. [PFAF]
Pharmacology
- Caltha leptosepala - Diaphoretic, emetic, expectorant. Diuretic, laxative, antitumor activity.347 [CRNAH]
Cultivation
"A plant of boggy soils and shallow pond margins[1], it requires a deep rich slightly acidic soil[200]. It grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54]. There is some disagreement over the correct name for this species, with some authorities calling it C. howellii." [PFAF]
Propagation
"Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame in late summer[200]. Stand the pots in 2 - 3cm of water to keep the soil wet. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[138]. 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[200]. 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." [PFAF]
References
Page last modified on Sunday, February 3, 2019 6:55 AM
