Caltha
(a syncope of kalathos, a goblet; in allusion to the form of the perianth, which may be likened to a golden cup). Marsh Marigold. ORD. Ranunculaceae. Hardy herbaceous perennials, of easy culture on the margin of a piece of water, or in a marshy bog, or in the ordinary border, where their showy blossoms look very brilliant. Propagation is readily effected by dividing the roots, in early spring, or in summer after flowering. C. leptosepala (slender-sepaled).* fl. pure white, one to two upon erect, scape-like peduncles. May, June. l. radical, cordate, the margins nearly entire, or sometimes crenate. h. 1ft. Northwestern America, 1827. (H. F. B. A. 1, 10.) C. palustris (marsh).* fl. golden-coloured, large; peduncles furrowed. Spring. l. cordate, somewhat orbicular, roundly-crenate, with rounded auricles. Stems dichotomous, erect. h. 1ft. Great Britain. (Sy. En. B. 40.) The double forms of this species, under the names of nana plena and monstrosa plena are excellent plants, and, though growing best in the immediate vicinity of water, and most appropriate for rough scenery, they, like the type, do very well in ordinary well-enriched soil. A variety named purpurascens, from Southern Europe, is also showy, more erect, and branching; the shoots and pedicels purplish.
C. p. bifiora (two-flowered). A twin-flowered variety of C. palustris. North America, 1827. This is not quite so tall as the type, and the flowers are rather larger.
C. p. parnassifolia (Parnassia-leaved). fl. yellow, on few-flowered peduncles. April, May. l. cordate-ovate, crenated. h. 3in. to 4in. North America, 1815. C. radicans (rooting).* fl. bright yellow, several in small cyme. April, May. l. reniform-cordate, sharply crenate-serrate, spreading. h. 6in. Scotland. (Sy. En. B. 41.)