Ficaria verna (lesser celandine)

lesser celandine leaves

Leaf type: Kidney shaped, heart shaped
Phyllotaxis: Opposite

Leaf (upper side)

lesser celandine leaf

lesser celandine leaves with red spot
The leaves of lesser celandine can also be spotted dark red.
lesser celandine withered leaves
In May or June, the leaves of lesser celandine wither and die. If the spring is dry, it withdraws into its tubercles earlier.

Habitus & biology

lesser celandine habitus

Lesser celandine reaches a height of up to 20 centimetres and flowers from March to May.

Distribution & habitates

lesser celandine by the wayside

Europe, North Africa, West Asia and as an introduced species also in North America (source).

Lesser celandine inhabits shady to sunny locations. It grows in forests, on or in bushes, in front of hedges, on roadsides, in parks or gardens.

Ficaria verna by the wayside

Botany

Ficaria verna belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunuclaceae) and is also known as pilewort or fig buttercup.

lesser celandine Ficaria verna