Ficaria verna ssp. verna
Ranunculus ficaria var. Bulbilifer, Pilewort
Ranunculaceae
March to May
It is found throughout the country, but is more scattered
than ssp. fertilis.
See the BSBI distribution map for Lesser Celandine
It grows in damp woods, hedge banks, banks of
streams, marshes and waste ground, where it may
form extensive carpets.
It is also a weed of gardens and lawns.
In the US it is classified as a noxious invasive weed.
As it can sread from bulbils, ssp. bulbifera is more
troublesome than ssp. fertilis.
Lesser Celandine ssp. verna is a native, tuberous,
perennial herb growing up to 25cm.
Flowers are solitary, between 1 to 3cm across, with 3
green, ovate sepals, and 7 to 12 bright yellow petals.
Petals have a dark patch at the base and are usually
shorter and narrower than in ssp. fertilis (see January)..
It is protanderous - the yellow stamens appearing first.
The fruiting body, if it forms, has fewer achenes than
It spreads by small, white bulbils which form in the leaf
axils.
Leaves are green, glossy and heart-shaped, often
with a dark splodge.
There are tubers (bulbils) at the base of the white stem
which overwinter and enable spread.
It has medicinal properties and used to be used to
treat haemorroids.
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