Practical
Plants

Ranunculus ficaria

Lesser Celandine

a perennial member of the Ranunculus genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.2 m
Spread
0.2 m
Fertility
Bees, Flies, Beetles
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

All parts of the plant are poisonous. The toxins are unstable and of low toxicity, they are easily destroyed by heat or by drying[7]. The sap can cause irritation to the skin[17].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves in spring - raw or cooked as a potherb[8][18][2][5]. The first leaves in spring make an excellent salad[19]. The leaves, stalks and buds can be used like spinach[19], whilst the blanched stems are also eaten[14][5]. The leaves turn poisonous as the fruit matures[18]. Caution is advised regarding the use of this plant for food, see the notes above on toxicity. Bulbils - cooked and used as a vegetable[19][2]. The bulbils are formed at the leaf axils and also at the roots[19][5]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. The flower buds make a good substitute for capers[5].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Lesser celandine has been used for thousands of years in the treatment of haemorrhoids and ulcers[12]. It is not recommended for internal use because it contains several toxic components[12]. The whole plant, including the roots, is astringent[13][3][9]. It is harvested when flowering in March and April and dried for later use[13]. It is widely used as a remedy for piles and is considered almost a specific[13][9]. An infusion can be taken internally or it can be made into an ointment and used externally[13][9]. It is also applied externally to perineal damage after childbirth[9]. Some caution is advised because it can cause irritation to sensitive skins[11].

Product or use
Astringent

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The flower petals are an effective tooth cleaner[16]. ( See notes at top of the page before using the petals) The plant often forms dense carpets when grown in the shade and can therefore be used as a ground cover though they die down in early summer. This should be done with some caution, however, since the plant can easily become an unwanted and aggressive weed in the garden[K].

Product or use
Dental care

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Nost of Europe, including Britain, to W. Asia.
Habitat
Woods, scrub, meadows, by streams etc, avoiding acid soils[19][4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. This species doesn't really need any help from us. Division in spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moist loamy neutral to alkaline soil in full sun or shade[1][9]. A very common and invasive weed[4][20], especially when growing in the shade because this encourages formation of bulbils at the leaf bases[9]. You would regret introducing it into your garden, though it might have a place in the wild garden[20]. This is, however, a polymorphic species[20] and there are a number of named forms selected for their ornamental value[6]. These are normally less invasive than the type species. The plant flowers early in the year when there are few pollinating insects and so seed is not freely produced[13]. The plant, however, produced tubercles (small tubers) along the stems and each of these can grow into a new plant[13]. Grows well along woodland edges[10], and in the deeper shade of the woodland where it often forms dense carpets[13]. The flowers do not open in dull weather and even on sunny days do not open before about 9 o'clock in the morning and are closed by 5 o'clock in the evening[13]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[15].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  4. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  7. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

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  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  9. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  10. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

  11. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩

  12. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  13. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  14. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  15. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩

  16. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩

  17. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  18. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  19. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  20. Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30253-1

    ↩1↩2↩3

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