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Upcoming Events | Meet the Instructors | Plant Archive | Mushroom Archive
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Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) is a native perennial wildflower in the buttercup family. It can be found blooming April-May in marshy places.
Marsh marigold, also known as American cowslip, has hollow stems, heart-shaped leaves, and five-petaled bright yellow flowers.
The raw plant contains poisonous glucosides, which are dispelled with boiling. Leaves should be boiled in 2-3 changes of water. The leaves can then be creamed or used in place of spinach.
Unopened flower buds can also be boiled 2-3 times and then pickled.
Marsh marigold has also been used as a medicinal plant to treat warts, anemia, and coughs. The leaves are high in iron and vitamins A and C.
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Written by Amy Demers, founder of the Connecticut Foraging Club. To learn more about foraging in Connecticut, check out our upcoming classes.
