Scientific Name:
Ranunculus ficaria
Pronunciation:
ruh-NUNK-you-luss fye-KAIR-ee-uh
Common Name:
lesser celandine, pilewort
Family Name:
Ranunculaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Low-growing, hairless perennial; leaves fleshy dark green, heart-shaped; flowers with numerous bright yellow, glossy petals.
Habit:
Horizontal
Form:
Creeping / Mat-like
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
< 0.1m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Africa, Europe, South Asia / India
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Landscape Uses:
Medicinal plant, Rock garden, Spring interest (Caution: poisonous parts)
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Basal
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous, Lustrous
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Shapes:
Orbicular
Apices:
Rounded
Bases:
Cordate
Margins:
Crenate, Dentate
Additional Info:
leaves die after flowering
Inflorescence Type:
Flowers solitary, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
11+
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Colour (petals):
Showy, Yellow (golden yellow fading to white)
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May
Additional Info:
2-3cm wide
Fruit Type:
Aggregate fruit, Achene
Fruit Colour:
Green
Fruiting Time:
Jun, Jul
Bark Morphology:
Smooth
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Tuberous roots
Pest Susceptibility:
Bacterial leaf spot, Fungal leaf spot, Mildew, Rust, Thrips (Deer resistant)
Course(s):
- not used (on campus)
Location(s):
- (GRB) GRass Bed
- (GRBW) GRass Bed West : at far west end