Caltha palustris: Introduction, Taxonomical classification, Distribution, Botanical Description, Harvesting, Chemical composition, Toxicity and contraindications
Introduction
Caltha palustris, often called marsh-marigold or kingcup, is a small to medium-sized perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the buttercup family. It is indigenous to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and grows in marshes, fens, ditches, and wet woodlands. Depending on latitude and altitude, it flowers from April to August, however, it may occasionally bloom at other times.
Taxonomical classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Caltha
Species: C. palustris
Binomial name: Caltha palustris
Distribution
Caltha palustris is widespread in the highlands of the Ukrainian Carpathians.
It grows along rivers in slow-moving, stagnant water, next to damp channels, and on the sides of ponds, lakes, wetlands, swamps, and wet meadows. The plant started to flourish in southern German and Austrian gardens at the end of the sixteenth century. It is now a prized garden plant in the collections of Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and England.
Botanical description
1. It is a herbaceous plant that can grow up to 20–50 cm tall with upright, simple, or top-branching stems.
2. Petiolate, whole, kidney- or heart-shaped, dark green, glossy leaves with serrated teeth.
3. Root leaves are significantly bigger than those on the stem.
4. The flowers have a diameter of 2-3 cm. Simple perianth, five-petaled corolla, infrequently numerous petals. Golden yellow, oblong or ovoid petals.
5. Many free stamens. Pestle from two to twelve.
6. Fruit-aggregate. April and May are when the plant blooms. Only in its tenth year of life does the plant begin to flower for the first time.
7. Leaf fruits that ripen in May and July and release up to ten lustrous, black seeds.
8. Spreading through rhizomes and seeds
9. The flower has an androgynous formula: * Са5Со5A∞G(2-12).
10. There are 2n=32 and 56 chromosomes.
Harvesting
It has been used medicinally for a long time in Ukraine. All of the plant’s aboveground portion, which is picked in the spring when it is blossoming, was used. They frequently flip over raw materials while being dried in places that are dark and well-ventilated. It can be dried at 50 to 60 degrees Celsius in ovens. Harvested in the fall, the roots are cleaned, crushed, decomposed, and then dried in a dryer. It has a one to two-year shelf life in pouches or wooden containers.
Chemical composition
Caltha palustris comprises both primary and secondary synthesis of physiologically active substances. It contains ascorbic acid (37 mg%), tannins (8.1%), protoanemonin, anemonin, alkaloids, saponins, and γ-lactones.
Triterpenoids (palus-trolide, caltolide, epicaltolide, 16,17-dihydroxycauronic-19, and hedrogenic acids), steroids (sitosterol), carotenoids (3-epilutein), and coumarins (scopoletin, umbelliferone) are present in every section of the plant.
It has been discovered that subterranean organs contain heterocyclic geleborin chemicals. Flavonoids found in the flowers include quercetin, campferol, 7-rhamnoside, 3-glucoside, and 3-glucoside-7-rhamnoside of quercetin, campferol, and 7-rhamnoside, 3-glucoside, and 3-glucoside.
The grass Caltha palustris contains 16 interconnected phenolic structures: flavonoids (apigenin, apigenin-3-glycoside, luteolin-7-glycoside, k-glycoside), phenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, gallic, chicory, isochlorogenic, ferulic), and epicatechin, coumarin, and catechin. Apigenin dominates the flavonoids, whereas chicory and gallic acids are the most common phenolic acids. Alkaloids, lipids, and vitamin C are present in the seeds.
Toxicity and contraindications
A protoaneminin found in fresh Caltha palustris is what makes the plant poisonous. However, the literature claims that heat treatment destroys them.
When fresh juice from the plant’s aerial portion is collected before flowering, it might result in blisters and other skin damage. Overconsumption of Caltha palustris teas or infusions results in allergic responses, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach pain.