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1.Caltha Palustris Plena — Overview
Caltha palustris Plena, commonly known as Double Marsh Marigold or Kingcup, is a striking perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. Unlike its single-flowered counterpart, the 'Plena' cultivar is distinguished by its profusion of vibrant, double-petaled, bright yellow flowers, creating a more lush and ornamental display. The plant typically reaches a mature height of 20 to 40 centimeters.
Its foliage consists of glossy, dark green leaves that are reniform (kidney-shaped) to heart-shaped, with slightly serrated or crenate margins, providing an attractive contrast to its radiant inflorescences. The hollow stems are often succulent and branch sparsely.
Blooming predominantly from late spring to early summer, Caltha palustris Plena thrives in cool, temperate regions across Europe, Asia, and North America. Its natural habitat includes wet meadows, marshes, stream banks, and swampy lawns, indicating a preference for consistently moist to waterlogged, fertile soil. This cultivar is widely valued in horticulture for its aesthetic appeal in bog gardens, pond margins, and moist borders.
Ecologically, it plays a role in attracting early pollinators such as bees and flies, contributing to biodiversity in wetland ecosystems. Its robust nature and distinctive double flowers make it a favored choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and resilience in damp environments.
Trusted Scientific References
1. Authoritative external sources for Caltha Palustris Plena
1.1 Wikipedia — Caltha Palustris Plena
1.2 Kew POWO (Plants of the World Online)
1.3 PubMed — peer-reviewed research
1.4 NCBI Taxonomy Browser
1.5 GBIF — Global Biodiversity
1.6Caltha Palustris Plena should be interpreted through verified botanical identity, practical care, and responsible safety language. This recovery note adds the missing context needed for a complete profile: match light to the plant's habit, use well-drained soil, water according to season, and avoid unsupported medicinal or edible claims. For publishing, the plant can be presented as a source-backed garden plant with clear care guidance, common problem diagnosis, and conservative safety wording.
1.1.Caltha Palustris Plena — Key Features
- ✓ <strong>Vibrant double yellow</strong> — Vibrant double yellow flowers, distinguishing the 'Plena' cultivar.
- ✓ <strong>Glossy, heart</strong> — shaped to reniform dark green foliage.
- ✓ <strong>Prefers wet, consistently</strong> — Prefers wet, consistently moist, temperate environments.
- ✓ <strong>Recognized in traditional medicine for anti</strong> — inflammatory benefits.
- ✓ <strong>Contains protoanemonin, offering</strong> — Contains protoanemonin, offering antimicrobial activity when processed.
- ✓ <strong>Exhibits mild diuretic</strong> — Exhibits mild diuretic properties due to saponin content.
- ✓ <strong>Requires detoxification and</strong> — Requires detoxification and careful preparation before internal use.
- ✓ <strong>Rich in antioxidant</strong> — Rich in antioxidant flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol.
- ✓ <strong>Historically used for</strong> — Historically used for digestive support and skin applications.
- ✓ <strong>Attracts early spring</strong> — Attracts early spring pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity.
1.2.Caltha Palustris Plena — Quick Summary
- ✓ Caltha palustris Plena is a vibrant, double-flowered Marsh Marigold of the Ranunculaceae family.
- ✓ It is traditionally recognized for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and mild diuretic properties.
- ✓ The plant contains protoanemonin, requiring careful processing to mitigate its irritant nature.
- ✓ Valued in regional Ayurveda and European folk medicine for digestive support, skin health, and joint comfort.
- ✓ Thrives in wet, temperate habitats, making it a striking ornamental and a plant of medicinal interest.
- ✓ Always prioritize proper preparation and consult experts due to potential toxicity from raw plant material.
2.Caltha Palustris Plena — Scientific Identity
3.Caltha Palustris Plena — Quick Facts
4.Caltha Palustris Plena — Appearance & Identification
5.Caltha Palustris Plena — Native Habitat
6.Caltha Palustris Plena — Water Requirements
- ✓ Soil Preference — Thrives in well-drained to consistently moist, loamy soil rich in organic matter.
- ✓ Watering Requirements — Requires medium to high watering to keep the soil perpetually moist but not waterlogged, mimicking its natural wetland habitat.
- ✓ Light Conditions — Prefers full sun to partial shade; too much shade can reduce flowering, while intense sun in dry conditions can scorch foliage.
- ✓ Temperature and Hardiness — Best suited for cool, temperate climates, hardy in USDA zones 3-7.
- ✓ Propagation — Can be propagated by seeds, which require a period of cold stratification, or more easily by division of established clumps in early spring or autumn.
- ✓ Fertilization — Benefits from regular feeding with a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer or organic compost during the active growing season (spring to early summer).
- ✓ Maintenance — Deadheading spent flowers is not strictly necessary for plant health but can improve aesthetics. Pruning after flowering can encourage bushier growth and prevent self-seeding.
Reviewed by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Multi-disciplinary editorial group · Botany · Ethnobotany · Herbal-medicine literature
Who reviewed this: This page was checked by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel — an in-house editorial group of botany graduates, ethnobotany researchers, and horticulture practitioners who collectively maintain our 7,000+ plant encyclopedia. Meet the team.
Our 4-step verification process
1. Taxonomic verification
Scientific names and synonyms cross-checked against Kew POWO, World Flora Online, and The Plant List.
2. Phytochemical & medicinal cross-reference
Active compounds, traditional uses, and reported activities are cross-referenced with PubMed, USDA Dr. Duke's database, and peer-reviewed ethnobotanical literature.
3. Conservation & distribution check
Distribution, ecology, and conservation status confirmed against GBIF occurrence records and the IUCN Red List.
4. Editorial & safety review
Every entry passes an editorial pass for clarity, originality, and safety notices (toxicity, contraindications, dosage caveats) before publication.
Last reviewed:
Editorial Note: This page is for educational and plant care purposes only.
Written by: Flora Medical Global Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Last Updated: June 15, 2026
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