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Similar but less problematic plants:
Geum Geum coccineum
Senecio candicans 'Angel Wings' Senecio candicans 'Angel Wings' leaves
Ranunculus ficaria is often confused with:
Caltha palustris Caltha palustris
Geum Geum coccineum
Native alternative(s) for Ranunculus ficaria:
Claytonia virginica Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Iris pseudacorus Form
Ligustrum vulgare Ligustrum  vulgar Fruit
Nandina domestica Growing Form
Ranunculus ficaria has some common insect problems:
Slugs & Snails on Ornamental Plants

Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria

Previously known as:

  • Ficaria bulbifera
  • Ficaria ranunculoides
  • Ficaria verna
  • Ranunculus ficaria var. bulbifer
Phonetic Spelling
ra-NUN-ku-lus fye-KAIR-ee-uh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Lesser celandine is a weedy, invasive, herbaceous perennial groundcover in the  buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It was introduced into North America from Europe and the Caucasus and has naturalized in 19 states in the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest and eastern Canada. 

It grows rapidly in moist, shady soils like those in river floodplains. In wild areas, plants form large, dense vigorous colonies that sometimes cover several acres of land. The yellow flowers are easy to spot in the early spring. It emerges earlier than most native plants and may inhibit the development and reproduction of native spring ephemerals that are essential to wildlife. After flowering, the plant foliage dies back by early summer as the plants go dormant. The plant reproduces via bulbils on above-ground stems and by underground tubers. The spread of bulbils and tubers can be accelerated by such factors as animal digging and flooding. Lesser celandine is best targeted when it’s actively growing in February and March. Control often takes multiple seasons. 

Lesser celandine looks similar to marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) which is native in North Carolina and enjoys similar growing conditions. The two can be distinguished by the number of petals on the flower (typically eight for lesser celandine and five for marsh marigold) and the appearance of the leaf margin (smooth for lesser celandine and serrated for marsh marigold).

Quick ID Hints:

  • A basal rosette of dark, kidney- or heart-shaped leaves.
  • A bright yellow flower blooms on a single stalk that rises 8 to 9 inches above the leaves.
  • Small bulbils form in the leaf axils after the flowering season has passed.
  • Abundant fig-shaped tubers form along the roots; when separated from the parent plant, the tubers will produce a new plant.
  • An overall tight, low-growing mat that rapidly chokes out neighboring seedlings.

Insect, Disease, and Other Problems: Slugs and snails may appear. When planted in a garden, plants tend to spread aggressively into adjacent areas. Consider alternatives listed in the sidebar to the left. This species is classified as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fleshy leaves#high maintenance#fast growing#aggressive#glossy leaves#naturalizes#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#weed#weedy
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fleshy leaves#high maintenance#fast growing#aggressive#glossy leaves#naturalizes#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#weed#weedy
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ranunculus
    Species:
    ficaria
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe to Caucasus
    Distribution:
    CT, DE, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MO, NC, NH, NJ, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WV
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Hairy achenes
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Showy bright, buttercup-yellow blooms March to May, have 8 petals and are 1-3 inches wide. Flower stalks rise 8"-9" inches tall.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Glossy
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Glossy dark green, leaves are heart to kidney-shaped,( ovate-cordate), fleshy, up to 2” in length, spreading rosettes.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Description:
    Stems are deeply grooved and U-shaped in cross-section.
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, oral ulcers and wobbly gait.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Protoanemonin (an irritant)
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No