Unlike other species of Caltha that are found in North America, C. natans shows relatively little morphological variation, and has not been divided into infraspecific taxa.

[4] The flowers are roughly 5 mm (0.20 in) in diameter and have five white or pinkish sepals; they are produced in late spring (June–August).

[4] In North America, it is found in Alaska, the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, North West Territories, Yukon, Saskatchewan Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario, and in a small part of the contiguous United States (in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin).

[3] In Minnesota, it is listed as a threatened species, it is generally rare or very localized throughout its native range in North America.

It has only been found a few times south of the Canadian boarder and a number of these locations have been wiped out by habitat loss.