BYGL Hort Shorts April 17, 2008 GOOD FLOWERS GONE BAD
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 LESSER CELANDINE (Ranunculus ficaria) is an introduced ornamental perennial that has escaped cultivation to become a nuiscance weed. Also known as fig buttercup, this low growing ornamental plant escaped cultivation and has become a persistent weed problem in some areas. The plant produces colonies of heart-shaped waxy green leaves that begin growing in late winter. Yellow flowers are born singly on stalks rising just over the leaves. By summer, the weed has died back to a finger-shaped tuber that will begin to grow with the first warming days of late-winter. The plant prefers moist woodland areas but can be an invasive weed in many landscapes. Lesser celandine reproduces by seed as well as bulblets that are produced along the above ground portion of the stems. Lesser celandine can be controlled with either systemic or burn-down types of herbicides. Since this plant returns from a persistent tuber, using burn-down products (e.g. Scythe) will require more than one treatment. The weed will re-sprout from the tuber and this growth must be burned down as well. Eventually, the perennial tuber is weakened and can no longer produce another plant. This process may take several applications over two seasons. Mechanical control of small patches can be done by pulling plants and removing the finger-shaped tubers. Care must be taken to remove all of the bulblet-bearing stems as well. Non-selective systemic herbicides (e.g. glyphosate) will also provide control if mixed with a non-ionic surfactant to enhance penetration of the waxy leaf cuticle. However, the window for application is very short due to the odd life cycle of the plant. The application should target the weed after it emerges in late winter but before it produces flowers and seed in early spring. Dates will vary across the state. Again, multiple applications may be needed until all of the tubers and bulblets have been killed. Lesser celandine in turfgrass can be controlled with typical broadleaf weed killers. Combination herbicides containing 2, 4-D, dicamba and MCPP provide the best control but must be applied while the weed is actively growing. Ester formulations of 2, 4-D are more effective at penetrating the waxy leaf cuticle, but are more volatile compounds, potentially damaging nearby plants during warmer weather. For more information, see:
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 17 April 2008 18:04 ) | ||||
