Jil Swearingen, NPS
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Lesser Celandine
Ranunculus ficaria
Origin: Europe
Background
Lesser celandine, also known as fig buttercup, was
introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant and
many colorful varieties are currently available
commercially.
Distribution and Ecological Threat
Lesser celandine is currently found in 20 northeastern
states and in Oregon, Washington and several Canadian
provinces. It occurs most commonly on moist, forested
floodplains areas. The greatest impact of lesser celandine
is on native spring-flowering plants. Lesser celandine
emerges in advance of most native spring species, giving
it a great competitive advantage. Once established, it
spreads rapidly across the forest floor to form a blanket
of leaves which native species are unable to penetrate.
Description and Biology
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Plant: perennial herbaceous plant in the buttercup
family (Ranunculaceae).
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Leaves: shiny, dark green, kidney-shaped, stalked
leaves may appear as early as January.
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Flowers, fruits and seeds: glossy, butter-yellow
flowers appear in March and April supported on delicate
stalks above the leaves. Aboveground portions of lesser
celandine die back by early June.
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Spreads: primarily by bulblets and underground tubers.
The tiny cream-colored bulblets are attached to
leafstalks and are easily dislodged from the plant. A
mass of small, gray, fingerlike tuberous roots
underlies each plant. Bulblets and tubers are easily
carried downstream during flood events and may be
unearthed and scattered by the digging activities of
some animals.
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Look-alikes: native marsh marigold (Caltha
palustris), several native buttercups.
Prevention and Control
Care should be taken to correctly identify lesser
celandine before undertaking any control efforts to avoid
removing native look-alike plants. For small infestations,
clumps of lesser celandine can be pulled by hand or dug up
using a shovel, removing entire plants and as many tubers
as possible. Use of contact or systemic herbicides is also
an option but should be done as early as possible to avoid
impact to native plant species.
Native Alternatives
wild ginger (Asarum
canadense)
Britt Slattery, USFWS
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wild geranium (Geranium
maculatum)
Britt Slattery, USFWS
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green and gold (Chrysogonum
virginianum)
Britt Slattery, USFWS
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foam flower (Tiarella
cordifolia)
Britt Slattery, USFWS
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