Single Record

Participant Info

Species
Caltha chionophila [Caltha leptosepala] [Psychrophila leptosepala]v[Caltha biflora] [Caltha howellii] [Caltha uniflora]
Family
Ranunculaceae
CommonName
marsh marigold
Presence
YES
Status
native
EarliestDate
1902
LatestDate
2019
Ecosystem
montane, subalpine, tundra
Geobotanical
SSawatch, Garitas, SSanjuans, Culebras, NCristos
Counties
Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache, San Juan
Passes
Cumbres, Grayback, La Manga, Music, Stony, Whiskey, Wolf Creek, Slumgullion
WildlifePreserves
Other Localities
Comments
Marsh marigold is common in all mountain regions of the Watershed, along creeks, rivulets, marshes, fens, seeps, and snow melts, sometimes growing in large colonies. It is present in all USA states west of the Great Plains, but extends down the Rio Grande only into northern New Mexico. Note that Caltha chionophila is highly variable, and past authorities have proposed breaking it into least nine different species. The most convincing treatment is Keir Wefferling (2018), who on chromosome count separated Caltha leptosepala (allododecaploid) from Caltha chionophila (hexaploid). Only the second grows in the Watershed, according to the distribution indicated in Ackerfield (2022). Other authorities, including FNA, have not yet accepted this treatment.