Report #2041 - Report: Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)

Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) on Mar 30, 2017

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

A patch of Ranunculus ficaria has been spreading here for years. I believe BES (Mitch Bixby) has sprayed it once or more before but it is getting larger. It is spreading in the neighborhood.

Commentary

That's true, Robin, I have treated that patch. But, given its prevalence across Portland, lesser celandine has been outside my ability to manage for some years. Meanwhile, we strongly encourage people to manage it on their own property, and we collaborate with Portland Parks as they request it.

-Mitch

Mitch Bixby
March 30, 2017, 2:06 a.m.

Remedy

For small patches, plants can be dug up in their entirety (be sure to get all roots and the small bulbils that break off to form new plants - you may need to sift through your soil to get these). Do not compost or put in your yard debris bin any below-ground parts of the plant (tubers and bulbils) as they can be spread this way. The leaves and flowers are ok to compost or put in yard debris. For larger patches, digging is impractical and can cause a lot of disturbance; herbicide application may have more success. * Lesser Celandine: National Park Service fact sheet *Lesser Celandine info from West Multnomah SWCD

Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) on Mar 30, 2017

Description of specimen

Commentary

Remedy

Resources

Location

Expert Reviewer