Marsh marigold

Caltha palustris
Poisonous
Marsh marigold
Photo: Dominicus Johannes Bergsma, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
Marsh marigold
Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
Marsh marigold
Photo: Richard Bartz, Munich aka Makro Freak, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons

This plant is poisonous: do not taste or pick it, and wash your hands after touching it. In case of poisoning call 112 (103 in Ukraine).

About

Marsh marigold is one of the first bright flowers of spring in wet places. Its bushes grow in swamps and marshy meadows, along the banks of streams and rivers, near springs and in marshes, where water is close to the surface. It blooms later the higher up in the mountains: depending on altitude and latitude, flowering lasts from April to August.

The plant is 10–40 cm tall, completely bare, with thick cord-like roots and fleshy stems. The leaves are dark green, shiny, heart-shaped or kidney-shaped, with the lower ones on long petioles. The flowers are large, golden-yellow, on long pedicels, with five shiny tepals resembling a large yellow 'eye' above the water. Due to its abundant flowering, marsh marigold is cultivated in parks near water bodies, where it forms a golden border; many decorative varieties have been developed.

Marsh marigold is poisonous. All its parts contain protoanemonin, saponins, and a small amount of alkaloids. The fresh juice irritates the skin and mucous membranes, and if consumed in large quantities, the plant causes burning in the throat, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and convulsions.

Do not confuse marsh marigold with Ficaria verna — a smaller plant with narrow shiny petals that covers wet forests and forest edges. Both are from the buttercup family and are equally inedible. Enjoy the golden carpets of marsh marigold in spring — it is one of the best spring scenes in the mountains.

Where in the Carpathians

fewermore9 286 records in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries
Slovakia · Czechia · Poland · Ukraine · Romania · Hungary
Mountain ranges
Slovak Ore Mountains, High Tatras, Moravian-Silesian Beskids, Low Tatras, Greater Fatra, Strážov Mountains, Western Tatras, Lesser Fatra, Kysuce Beskids, Slovak Central Mountains
Altitude belts
Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m)

When to see it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Flowering
Fruit

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Safety

All parts of the plant are poisonous (protoanemonin); the juice irritates the skin. Do not taste or give to children. In case of suspected poisoning, call 103 (or 112).

Look-alikes — how to tell them apart

Lesser celandineFicaria vernaPoisonous

A smaller plant with eight to twelve narrow shiny petals; forms carpets in wet forests. Also poisonous.

GlobeflowerTrollius europaeusPoisonous

Flowers are globular, with many inward-curving tepals; leaves are palmately lobed; grows in wet meadows higher in the mountains.

Protection and rules

Not protected.

FAQ

Is marsh marigold poisonous?

Yes. All parts of the plant contain protoanemonin; fresh juice irritates the skin, and the consumed plant causes vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness.

When does marsh marigold bloom in the mountains?

Depending on altitude — from April to August: in the valleys in spring, in the high mountains — in summer.

Similar species

GlobeflowerPoisonousGlobeflowerTrollius europaeusHow to tell: Flowers are globular, with many inward-curving tepals; leaves are palmately lobed; grows in wet meadows higher in the mountains.
ColtsfootPoisonousColtsfootTussilago farfaraThe first yellow 'sunny flowers' on clay slopes in early spring, still without leaves. Contains toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Wood anemonePoisonousWood anemoneAnemonoides nemorosaWhite stars of early spring that blanket deciduous forests before the leaves appear on the trees. Poisonous, do not pick for bouquets.

Where to meet it

Peaks and meadows

Polonyna LazokMountain meadow1 260 mPolonyna LazokNadvirna districtThe Lazok meadow near the city of Yaremche is quite popular among tourists.Mount MakovytsiaPeakMount MakovytsiaTurya Pasikaaltitude 978 m · Volcanic Carpathians rangeMount Makovytsia is a gem of the western lands, with amazing landscapes, fairy-tale views, nature, air, and...Mount TsetsynoPeakMount TsetsynoChernivtsialtitude 537 mTsetsyno is the highest hill of the Chernivtsi Upland, 537 m high (538 m according to other data).

Waters and waterfalls

Bystrytsia Solotvynska RiverRiverBystrytsia Solotvynska RiverSolotvynThe Bystrytsia Solotvynska rises at about 1,390 m at the foot of Mala Syvulia and Bystryk, near the Peklo cliffs in...Synevyr Lake Synevyrska PolyanaLakeSynevyr Lake Synevyrska PolyanaSynevyrska PolyanaLake Synevyr, located on the territory of the National Nature Park of the same name in Mizhhirya district of...Svicha RiverRiverSvicha RiverVyhodaThe Svicha is a 107-km right-bank tributary of the Dniester. It rises on the northern slopes of the main Gorgany...Vilshany ReservoirLakeVilshany ReservoirVilshanyThe Vilshany Reservoir, also called the Tereblia-Rika Reservoir, is a narrow mountain lake in the Tereblia valley...Chornyi Cheremosh RiverRiverChornyi Cheremosh RiverVerkhovynaThe Chornyi Cheremosh rises south-east of Burkut on the slopes of the Chyvchyn Mountains, the most remote corner of...Truskavets ReservoirLakeTruskavets ReservoirTruskavetsTruskavets Reservoir, known locally as Lake Solonytsia, lies on the south-eastern edge of Truskavets, next to the...

Mountain ranges: In other countries: 🇸🇰 Slovak Ore Mountains, 🇸🇰 High Tatras, 🇨🇿 Moravian-Silesian Beskids, 🇸🇰 Low Tatras, 🇸🇰 Greater Fatra, 🇸🇰 Strážov Mountains, 🇸🇰 Western Tatras, 🇸🇰 Lesser Fatra, 🇸🇰 Kysuce Beskids, 🇸🇰 Slovak Central Mountains, 🇵🇱 Żywiec Beskids, 🇸🇰 Volovec Mountains, 🇨🇿 White Carpathians, 🇸🇰 Slovak Paradise

Trails and peaks near which naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, iNaturalist), matched by altitude and habitat. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Sources

GBIF · iNaturalist · Wikidata · Distribution data: GBIF.org (CC0 and CC BY records), iNaturalist; names and identifiers: Wikidata (CC0). Text: Karpaty.rocks, checked 09.11.2026.