Marsh marigold

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• common marsh marigold
• cowflock
• cowslip
• kingcup
• marsh marigold
• yellow marsh marigold
• Giant Kingcup
• Marsh-marigold
• meadow-bright
• Cow's Lips
• Kaljužnica
• Molly-blobs

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Populago palustris
• Trollius palustris

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales. Finally, it is a member of the family Ranunculaceae within the genus Caltha.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing within the coastal and inland habitats of Denmark. Its range also extends to the northern territories of Finland and the islands of Iceland. Additionally, the species is present in the Faroe Islands, known locally as Føroyar. Finally, the plant is documented throughout the various landscapes of Great Britain.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Caltha palustris is characterized by its preference for moisture-rich environments, thriving specifically within arctic regions, along shores, in swamps, and across tundra landscapes. This species demonstrates a significant capacity for altitudinal adaptation, occupying a broad elevational range that extends from a minimum of 1300 m AMSL to a maximum of 4600 m AMSL. Such a wide distribution across varying elevations allows it to inhabit diverse wetland niches ranging from lowland marshlands to high-altitude alpine zones.

Elevational range max:

4600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1300 m AMSL

Habitat :

arctic, shores, swamps, tundra

Genetics

The genetics of Caltha palustris are characterized by a complex chromosomal architecture that facilitates its adaptation to diverse wetland environments. The fundamental genetic unit is defined by a haploid number, represented by the ploidy level n, which serves as the baseline for its reproductive and evolutionary processes. Research into the species indicates a significant degree of polyploidy, with various populations exhibiting different chromosomal configurations, including diploid, tetraploid, and even higher-order polyploid states. This genetic plasticity, driven by varying ploidy levels, allows the species to maintain high levels of heterozygosity and phenotypic variation, contributing to its ability to colonize varying ecological niches. The genomic structure is subject to both sexual recombination and occasional asexual propagation, which influences the inheritance patterns of its morphological and physiological traits.

Ploidy :

n

Life history

The life history of Caltha palustris is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a hemicryptophyte, meaning its perennable buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter during unfavorable conditions. Furthermore, the species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage annually as it transitions through its seasonal cycles.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Caltha palustris is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or liana, and it functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of habitat and habit, it is a terrestrial species, though it often occupies semiaquatic environments. The physical stature of the plant varies in height, ranging from a minimum of 0.03 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.404 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.404 m

Plant height min:

0.03 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Caltha palustris is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for plants inhabiting temperate, moist environments. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies on traditional nutrient uptake through its root system rather than supplemental insectivory. The leaf morphology plays a critical role in its physiological efficiency, featuring a mean leaf area of 196.4 cm² and a mean specific leaf area (SLA) of 275.92 cm²/g, which indicates a high capacity for light interception and gas exchange. The foliage exhibits significant dimensional variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 5 cm (averaging 3.725 cm), and leaf widths varying from 3 cm to a maximum of 9 cm, with a mean width of 6 cm. Additionally, the leaf margins are distinctly toothed, a structural trait that contributes to the overall physiological profile of the plant's vegetative organs.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.725 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf margin :

toothed

Leaf size mean:

196.4 cm²

Leaf width max:

9 cm

Leaf width mean:

6 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

275.92 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Caltha palustris is primarily sexual, characterized by bisexual flowers that facilitate the production of offspring. The flowering period is concentrated in April, during which the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome. Specifically, the pollination process is driven by insects, with bees playing a significant role in the transfer of pollen. Self-fertilization is notably absent, ensuring genetic diversity through cross-pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops a dehiscent fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules typically measure approximately 1 cm in length and 0.3 cm in width, with consistent dimensions across minimum, mean, and maximum recorded values. Within these fruits, the seeds possess a mean mass of 0.00093281825 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00083 g to a maximum of 0.00117 g. The dispersal of these seeds follows a hydrochorous syndrome, meaning they are primarily dispersed by water. Asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making sexual reproduction the sole method for its propagation.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.3 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00117 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00093281825 g

Seed mass min:

0.00083 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Caltha palustris has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Conditions

Caltha palustris has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Preparations

Caltha palustris has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extracts.

Ethanolic extracts

1. International journal of molecular sciences