Lesser Celandine

Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna (previously Ranunculus ficaria)) is a "spring ephemeral" meaning it spends most of the year hidden from view as underground tubers. The weed’s hide-and-seek life cycle makes detecting and evaluating the extent of spread a time-sensitive endeavor.

Lesser Celandine is known as a "spring ephemeral" owing to the time of year when short-lived plants and flowers are present. The majority of this weed's hide-and-seek life cycle is spent hidden from view as underground tubers. Bright yellow buttercup flowers are now revealing infestations in southern Ohio.

Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna (previously Ranunculus ficaria)) is now very evident in southern Ohio. Plants are in full bloom, or nearly so, meaning effective control options are becoming limited.

Lesser Celandine is now very evident in southern Ohio. Blooms have not yet appeared; however, this conspicuous life-cycle stage is just around the corner. Be on the lookout for this highly-invasive non-native weed and take steps to eradicate it from Ohio forests and landscapes.

Lesser Celandine plants are starting to rise in southern Ohio. This non-native is known as a "spring ephemeral" owing to the time of year when the short-lived plants and flowers are present. The majority of this weed's hide-and-seek life-cycle is spent hidden from view as underground tubers.

I frequently describe weeds as "sneaky" when their life-cycle presents a serious challenge to their identification and management. However, nothing matches the sneakiness of the hide-and-seek life-cycle of Lesser Celandine.