A highly variable polymorphic aquatic herb. Rhizomes 2-3 cm thick, fibrous, branched; radical leaves reniform, 5-10 cm across, long-petioled, covered by a membranous sheath; cauline leaves reniform-deltoid, obtuse-dentate or crenate-dentate, apically crenate or entire; flowers single or in few-flowered inflorescences, sepals petal-like, yellow, white or magenta-pink; follicles flattened, oblong, 8-20 mm long, gradually or abruptly beaked, 7-20 seeded; seeds black, lustrous, evenly ovoid.

Antiinflammatory (leaf and root); stimulates the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, spermicidal, anodyne, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and rubefacient (plant); diaphoretic, emetic and expectorant(root).

Caltha palustris
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Caltha palustris L. - Marsh Marigold
Plants for a Future

Carotenoids, 3'-epilutein and 3'-O-didehydrolutein (flower); triterpinoid glycosides, calthaxanthin and magnoflorine (root); coumarins (plant); vitamin C (leaves); a- and ß-carotene, xanthophyll, xanthophyllepoxide and trollixanthin (flower buds).

To remove warts and is also used in the treatment of fits and anaemia (plant); used in the treatment of high blood cholesterol and rheumatism (root).

In the mature stages, poisonous to human beings and livestock. It causes diarrhoea when eaten in large quantities and is occasionally fatal. It also affects the quality and quantity of milk when fed to milch cattle. The plant has an acrid juice which is liable to cause inflammation and blistering if it comes in contact with the skin.

Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.