Yellow Marsh Marigold vs Lesser Celandine
This guide is under construction and has not been published yet. It may have errors. When in doubt, double-check other sources for definitive ID.These two species look superficially similar and are frequently confused; both can form large colonies. They are easily distinguished by a close look at their flowers, and they have other subtle differences. The native marsh marigold ranges farther north, and in the Midwest, farther west, and its range is more complete. It prefers wetter conditions, with more permanent standing water. The invasive lesser celandine ranges farther south and its range is more scattered as it has primarily been introduced around human habitation. It prefers drier conditions, typically moist ground that only has standing water temporarily.
Yellow Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) | Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna) |
A perennial spring ephemeral native to Europe through Western Asia, invasive in North America, occurring in moist bottomlands where it often escaped from lawns and gardens. | |
 Flowers look like they have 5 petals, rarely more, but they are actually all sepals that look like petals. Photo © Tom Scavo, CC BY 4.0. |  Flowers have 7-10 true petals, and also have three sepals, which are green. Photo © Zachary Wimberly, CC BY 4.0. |
 Found in wetter habitats, often growing in standing water or other sites where the base of the plant is persistently covered in water. Photo © Emily Turteltaub Nelson, CC BY 4.0. | Found in drier habitats, usually where soil is consistently moist, but flooding is only temporary. |
 Usually restricted to more intact wild areas. Does not usually occur in lawns. Photo © Timon T. K., CC BY 4.0. |  Common in degraded and anthropogenic habitats, including spots in lawns that are moist during spring. Photo © Ed Alverson, CC BY 4.0. |
References & External Resources
These short lists show only links helpful for ID. For a complete list of references and resources also covering other aspects of ecology, visit the links section of the full article on each plant, which is the first entry here.
