Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Ficaria verna
- Ranunculus ficaria
- Phonetic Spelling
- ra-NUN-ku-lus fye-KAIR-ee-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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Lesser celandine is a weedy perennial groundcover in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family. It was introduced into North America and has naturalized in 19 states in the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest, and eastern Canada. In wild areas, plants compete with native plants and wildflowers forming large, dense vigorous colonies that sometimes cover several acres of land.
Flowers are easy to spot in the early spring. it is an ephemeral that emerges earlier than most native plants and may inhibit the development and reproduction of other native spring ephemerals that are essential to wildlife. After flowering, the plant foliage dies back by early summer as the plants go dormant. Bulblets on above-ground stems and underground tubers are the primary methods of propagation. Tubers resemble figs, hence the Latin name. The spread of bulblets and tubers can be accelerated by such factors as animal digging and downstream flooding.
Insect, Disease, and Other Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Slugs and snails may appear. When planted in a garden, plants tend to spread invasively into adjacent areas. It is reported ar invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council and by several surrounding states.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Perennial
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Hairy achenes
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Description:
- Stems are deeply grooved and U-shaped in cross-section.
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy