Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) on Apr 9, 2013

Submitter has sample
EDRR Status: Local expert notified

Description of specimen

Just north of the parking lot, at the location specified using google maps, is a large patch of thousands of individual plants. They are Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria). It is also known as "Fig buttercup" or "pilewort".

Each plant has a basal rosette of succulent, dark green, shiny, stalked kidney-shaped leaves. Flowers are bright yellow, actinomorphic, with 8 or 9 petals. Each plant has a solitary inflorescence on a stalk that rises above the leaves

This species is confused with Caltha palustris L. (marsh marigold).

Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria): A Threat to Woodland Habitats in the Northern United States and Southern Canada:
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1614/IPSM-D-09-00044.1?journalCode=ipsm

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/rafi1.htm

Commentary

Dear Curtis,

Thank you for reporting lesser celandine! This looks like an important infestation to address given its proximity to the river. I have forwarded your report to natural resource managers in the City of Springfield as well as the Oregon Department of Parks and Rec. Please keep up the good work reporting invasive species!

Sincerely,
Tania Siemens


Watershed and Invasive Species Education (WISE) Program
Oregon Sea Grant
Oregon State University
cell: 541-914-0701 email: tania.siemens@oregonstate.edu

Tania Siemens
April 17, 2013, 12:15 a.m.