lesser celandine, fig buttercup: Ficaria verna (Ranunculales: Ranunculaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

lesser celandine, fig buttercup	USDA PLANTS Symbol: RAFI U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Forbs/Herbs
Ficaria verna Huds.

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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Ranunculales: Ranunculaceae
Synonym(s): lesser celandine, pilewort
Native Range: Eurasia ()
Appearance Ficaria verna is a short (up to 12 in. [30.5 cm]), herbaceous perennial that invades forests throughout the East, Midwest and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States. Foliage The basal leaves are dark green, shiny, kidney- to heart-shaped and vary greatly in size. Flowers Flowering occurs in March and April, when showy, bright yellow, eight-petaled flowers develop on stalks above the leaves. Flowers are up to 3 in. (7.6 cm) wide. Fruit The fruit are achenes that are pubescent. It also reproduces with bulblets and tubers. Ecological Threat Ficaria verna invades moist, forested floodplains. It is a spring ephemeral and grows vigorously, creating dense mats that exclude all other vegetation. It is a threat particularly to the native forest spring ephemerals that have to compete for light and space with this invasive. The plant is native to Europe and was first introduced into the United States as an ornamental. It is currently sold and widely planted as an ornamental.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Root(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org