Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine (Ranunculaceae)

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Ranunculus ficaria
Lesser celandine
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The Ranunculus ficaria plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Ranunculaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Lesser celandine. Some home gardeners know the variety as Ficaria verna. F. ranunculoides.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
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Latin Name:  Ranunculus ficaria
Common Name:  Lesser celandine
Family:  Ranunculaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  All parts of the plant are poisonous. The toxins are unstable and of low toxicity, they are easily destroyed by heat or by drying[19]. The sap can cause irritation to the skin[65].

Mature Height:  0.2   Mature Width:  0.2

Habitat:  Woods, scrub, meadows, by streams etc, avoiding acid soils[9, 17].

Cultivation Notes: Prefers a moist loamy neutral to alkaline soil in full sun or shade[1, 238]. A very common and invasive weed[17, 90], especially when growing in the shade because this encourages formation of bulbils at the leaf bases[238]. You would regret introducing it into your garden, though it might have a place in the wild garden[90]. This is, however, a polymorphic species[90] and there are a number of named forms selected for their ornamental value[188]. These are normally less invasive than the type species. The plant flowers early in the year when there are few pollinating insects and so seed is not freely produced[4]. The plant, however, produced tubercles (small tubers) along the stems and each of these can grow into a new plant[4]. Grows well along woodland edges[24], and in the deeper shade of the woodland where it often forms dense carpets[4]. The flowers do not open in dull weather and even on sunny days do not open before about 9 o'clock in the morning and are closed by 5 o'clock in the evening[4]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

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