Ranunculus ficaria

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 1: 550. 1753.

Common names: Lesser celandine pilewort ficaire renoncule ficaire
IllustratedIntroduced
Synonyms: Ranunculus ficaria subsp. bulbifer Lambinon Ranunculus ficaria subsp. calthifolius (Reichenbach) Arcangeli Ranunculus ficaria var. bulbifera Albert
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.

Stems erect to decumbent, not rooting nodally, glabrous, not bulbous-based, spheric or ellipsoid bulbils sometimes formed in leaf axils. Tuberous roots present. Basal leaves simple and undivided, blades cordate to deltate or semicircular, 1.8-3.7 × 2-4 cm, base cordate, margins entire or crenate, apex rounded or obtuse. Flowers: receptacle glabrous; sepals spreading, saccate at extreme base, 4-9 × 3-6 mm, glabrous; petals yellow, 10-15 × 3-7 mm. Heads of achenes hemispheric, 4-5 × 6-8 mm; achenes 2.6-2.8 × 1.8-2 mm, pubescent; beak absent.


Phenology: Flowering spring (Apr–May).
Habitat: Shaded stream banks and moist disturbed areas
Elevation: 0-300 m

Distribution

V3 896-distribution-map.gif

Introduced; B.C., Nfld. and Labr. (Nfld.), Ont., Que., Conn., D.C., Ill., Ky., Md., Mass., Mich., Mo., N.J., N.Y., Ohio, Oreg., Pa., R.I., Tenn., Va., Wash., W.Va., native to Europe.

Discussion

In North America, Ranunculus ficaria seems to be expanding its range rapidly in areas with cool mesic climates.

The species is extremely variable (especially in leaf size and stem posture), and many attempts have been made to divide it into varieties or subspecies (see P. D. Sell 1994). The different forms, however, intergrade extensively and the varieties are often impossible to distinguish.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Ranunculus ficaria"
Alan T. Whittemore +
Linnaeus +
Undefined subg. Ficaria +
Lesser celandine +, pilewort +, ficaire +  and renoncule ficaire +
B.C. +, Nfld. and Labr. (Nfld.) +, Ont. +, Que. +, Conn. +, D.C. +, Ill. +, Ky. +, Md. +, Mass. +, Mich. +, Mo. +, N.J. +, N.Y. +, Ohio +, Oreg. +, Pa. +, R.I. +, Tenn. +, Va. +, Wash. +, W.Va. +  and native to Europe. +
0-300 m +
Shaded stream banks and moist disturbed areas +
Flowering spring (Apr–May). +
Illustrated +  and Introduced +
Ranunculus ficaria subsp. bulbifer +, Ranunculus ficaria subsp. calthifolius +  and Ranunculus ficaria var. bulbifera +
Ranunculus ficaria +
Ranunculus subg. Ficaria +
species +