Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium, Inc.

SEWISC

Shop Local

Lesser Celandine

Lesser Celandine

Lesser celandine

(Ranunculus ficaria)

General description:

Herbaceous groundcover with kidney to heart-shaped leaves and showy, daisy-like yellow flowers. Rapidly reproduces vegetatively by abundant tubers and above-ground bulblets.

Ecological threat:

  • Thrives in partial sun and moist soils, but also tolerant of drier, sunny sites.
  • Invades forests, wetlands and riparian areas, as well as upland areas and disturbed areas such as lawns.
  • Infestations of this plant eliminate spring ephemeral communities in woodlands, which includes sensitive native plants.
  • Noted as invasive in neighboring states with similar habitats. Extremely invasive in N. Ohio. In one Cleveland park, approximately 400 acres are dominated by this plant.
  • Easily reproduces and spreads into new areas through bulbils and tubers, or seed.
  • Plants are poisonous to livestock and humans.
Photo Gallery: