Marsh marigold is a very showy ephemeral member of the buttercup family, and actually not that closely related to marigolds. As soon as you see the bright yellow flower, you can tell its resemblance to buttercups! Marsh marigold has glossy, thickish, heart- or kidney-shaped leaves. As a “wetland obligate” plant, it can be found along stream banks or other wet areas in small clumps or large patches and is pretty special in that it can tolerate living in standing water in the spring during its bloom season.

Marsh marigold looks a lot like the non-native, invasive lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria), a related wetland species that is slowly making its way across the country. There are three ways you may be able to tell them apart: the flower petals: marsh marigold has 5-9 petals, while lesser celandine can have more than nine (but can also have as few as 7!); the habitat: marsh marigold can live in very wet conditions, whereas lesser celandine likes things moist but not as truly wet as marsh marigold; and the form: marsh marigold clumps, whereas lesser celandine spreads.Good luck!