Ranunculus ficaria Lesser celandine (Ranunculaceae)

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Ranunculus ficaria
Lesser celandine
(1 Page of 5)

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
Medicinal | Edible Uses

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].

Edible Uses: Young leaves in spring - raw or cooked as a potherb[2, 74, 105, 183]. The first leaves in spring make an excellent salad[9]. The leaves, stalks and buds can be used like spinach[9], whilst the blanched stems are also eaten[46, 183]. The leaves turn poisonous as the fruit matures[74]. Caution is advised regarding the use of this plant for food, see the notes above on toxicity. Bulbils - cooked and used as a vegetable[9, 105]. The bulbils are formed at the leaf axils and also at the roots[9, 183]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. The flower buds make a good substitute for capers[183].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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