A genus of plants in the buttercup family, commonly known as marsh marigold, with bright yellow flowers found in wet areas.
From Latin 'caltha,' which may derive from Greek 'kalathiskos' (small basket), referring to the shape of the flower. The botanical term was formalized in Linnaean taxonomy.
Caltha palustris (marsh marigold) is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring in northern wetlands—medieval people watched for it as a sign that winter was finally ending and called it 'kingcup' because the yellow flowers looked like tiny crowns.
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