Yellow marsh marigold, also known as kingcup, is an herbaceous perennial, found in wet woodlands and damp meadows as well as along stream banks. It is one of the first wetland wildflowers to bloom early in the spring.
This hairless, stout wildflower resembles a buttercup. It is after all from the same family. However, the flowers of marsh marigold are larger than those of a buttercup and they are also more golden yellow in color. The dark green leaves are large and kidney-shaped with a glossy appearance. The stems are long and hollow.
The marsh marigold’s brilliant yellow flowers are about 15 to 50 mm across usually with 5 petal-like sepals and an abundance of yellow stamens and ovary bearing structures (carpels) in the center.