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celandine
Scientific Name: Chelidonium majus var. majus
Family: Papaveraceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Biennial
Other Names:
Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)
Lesser celandine, also known as pilewort, smallwort, brighteye, or cheesecups, is a common spring wildflower belonging to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). Its botanical name is Ranunculus ficaria, formerly known as Ficaria verna.
Considerations for Pets
- While not explicitly stated to be toxic in this text, keep in mind that it is in the buttercup family.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Ranunculus ficaria
- Formerly: Ficaria verna
- Common Names: Lesser celandine, Pilewort, Smallwort, Brighteye, Cheesecups
- Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Britain and common throughout the UK.
- Found in damp meadows, woods, lawns, hedgebanks, and beside streams and ditches.
- Prefers woods and shady places.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- A low-growing, hairless perennial flowering plant.
- Known for its carpets of yellow blooms, though cultivars offer more unusual flower colors.
- Emerges early in the spring.
Quirky Facts
- Wordsworth wrote no less than three poems about the lesser celandine.
- In Welsh, it is known as "Llygad Ebrill," which translates to "April's Eye."
- Its roots resemble a bunch of grapes.
Traditional Uses
- Prior to flowering, the leaves were used in salads.
- The whole herb and tubers are collected in the wild state.
Further Information
- Nature's Calendar provides information and a free fact sheet.