Scientific Name
Caltha palustris
Common Name
Marsh marigold

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Ranunculaceae
Plant Description
Herbaceous perennial; leaves rounded to heart-shaped, mostly basal; flowers yellow, 5-6-parted; fruits dry with red seeds.
Origin
USA, NC.
Distribution
Native locally in mountains; cultivated.
Where Found
Forest or natural area, marshy ground in mountains; landscape, cultivated as herbaceous perennial in flower gardens and water gardens.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Leaves.
Symptoms
Burning of the throat, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, and convulsions.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Cooked, early spring greens are edible. SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Cover the young leaves with 2-3 changes of boiling water until barely tender; cut into bite-sized pieces, salt lightly, and cover with butter and some vinegar. Tightly closed buds can be pickled after covering with boiling water as described for leaves. Do not boil. SOURCE: Angier, B. 1974. Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa, 255 pp. Elias, T.S. and P.A. Dykeman. 1982. Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants. Outdoor Life Books, New York, 286 pp.
Toxic Principle
Protoanemonin.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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