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Lesser Celandine

—

by

Victoria
in

Invasive Species in Southwestern BC

by Laura Black

Name: Ficaria verna (formerly Ranunculas ficaria)                                 

Common Names: lesser celandine, pilewort, figwort, fig buttercup

Family: Ranunculaceae

Genus: Ficaria  

Status in BC: Weed Class B

Reported invasions are in limited areas of Southwestern B.C.

Native to: Europe, Asia & North Africa 

Toxic: Humans, livestock 

Ecology: Pollinated by bees, small beetles, and flies.

What does Lesser Celandine look like?

Lesser celandine is a small, low-growing herbaceous perennial, in the buttercup family.  It has fleshy dark green heart-shaped leaves and distinctive flowers with bright yellow glossy petals.

There are 2 types of roots: Dense clusters of thick, pale-coloured elongated tubers surrounded
by patches of short, fibrous roots.  Some clumps give rise to long stolons, 10 cm (3.9 in) or
more, allowing vegetative spread to produce extensive carpets of plants. 

If left alone lesser celandine can take over an entire garden bed and creep into your grass, or neighbour’s yard.

Despite the similarity in the common name, lesser celandine (Ficaria verna) is NOT related to greater celandine, (Chelidonium majus) a plant in the poppy family – however both plants are listed as invasive in British Columbia.

Management of small infestations (1 m² or less):

  • Ideally, remove plants before flowering/going to seed in late winter/early spring.
  • Dig out plants and remove all the roots/tubers and bulblets.
  • Persistence, care and annual management are needed to control this species.
  • Mowing is not recommended as it is likely to cause further spread.
  • Monitor and manage sites annually until clear.
  • Be sure not to remove soil from the contaminated area.

Management of Large Infestations: 

Call your local Environmental Coordinator or a professional landscaping company that is well-versed in invasive plant species removal. 


Disposal

Currently, the best option is to place all plant parts in a garbage bag labelled “invasive species” and take it to Hartland Landfill. DO NOT COMPOST!  Home composting is likely to increase the spread of this species.

To report an invasive plant or weed of
concern:

CRD Invasive Plant Alert Fact Sheet

References


District of Saanich:
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:b966d8cb-0c9e-408d-88cb-
87d9aeee1202?comment_id=417b69ea-2751-4802-949a-492bab145e4f
Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board:
https://web.archive.org/web/20160324080851/http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/detail.asp?weed=185
iNaturalist Canada:
https://inaturalist.ca/taxa/204321-Ficaria-verna?locale=en-ca

Field Guide to Noxious Weeds and Other Invasive Plants of British Columbia (p.75)