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Western Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

Slender-sepal Marsh-marigold
Caltha leptosepala DC.

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Butter-cup (Ranunculaceae)
Flowering: June-August
Field Marks: This species is identified by its large white 1 or 2 flowers and its undivided heart-shaped single leaves.
Habitat: Wet meadows and bogs in the mountains.
Habit: Perennial herb with thick fibrous roots.
Stems: Upright, either bearing no leaves and one flower or 1 leaf and 2 flowers, up to 10 inches tall, smooth, somewhat succulent.
Leaves: Basal or with only one on the stem, ovate to orbicular, up to 3 inches long, rounded at the tip, deeply heart-shaped at the base, regularly toothed, smooth, on stalks.
Flowers: Solitary or in pairs, up to 2 1/2 inches across, white.
Sepals: 6-12, white, petal-like, free from each other, up to 1 inch long.
Petals: 0.
Stamens: Numerous.
Pistils: Many, each with a superior ovary.
Fruits: Follicles several, up to 1/2 inch long, containing very many seeds.
Notes: This plant begins to flower after the first thaw in the spring. There is a report of this species from California.

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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 06:27:42 EST
Menlo Park, CA [caww55]