Fig Buttercup

Scientific name: Ranunculus ficaria L.

Common names: Fig buttercup, Lesser celandine

Native To: Europe

Date of U.S. Introduction: Unknown; possibly during the 17th or 18th century

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Means of Introduction: Introduced as an ornamental

Impact: Crowds out native species and competes with early spring wildflowers

Current U.S. Distribution: Northeastern U.S. and Pacific Northwest

• PLANTS Database Map (see complete PLANTS Profile for county distribution and native status)
• Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System

U.S. States and U.S. National Parks Where Reported Invasive: WeedUS Database map

Management Plans: Plants

Selected Internet Resources:

• Federal Government
• State Government
• University/Academic
• International
• Organizations

Ranunculus ficaria L.
Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
Taxonomy

Ranunculus ficaria Article Citation Search - AGRICOLA Database
USDA. National Agricultural Library.
Research

Ranunculus ficaria L. - Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)
USDA. ARS. National Genetic Resources Program.
Taxonomy; Legal Aspects

Lesser Celandine - Invasive Plants Field and Reference Guide (Jul 2006; PDF | 131 KB)
USDA. FS. Northeastern Area.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Life Cycle; Habitat

Lesser Celandine - Weed of the Week (Mar 07, 2006; PDF | 206 KB)
USDA. FS. Northeastern Area. Forest Health Protection.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Plant Profile for Ranunculus ficaria - PLANTS Database
USDA. NRCS. National Plant Data Center.
Taxonomy; Photographs; Distribution; Legal Aspects

Lesser Celandine - Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas (2002)
DOI. National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Controls

Lesser celandine
Oregon Department of Agriculture. Plant Division. Noxious Weed Control.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Controls

Lesser Celandine
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Invasive Exotic Plant Tutorial for Natural Lands Managers.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Special Note: Species Management and Control Information

Ranunculus ficaria (Fig buttercup, lesser celandine) - Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE)
University of Connecticut. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion

September's Weeds of the Month: Greater and Lesser Celandine (PDF | 740 KB)
Cornell University. Landscape Horticulture Program Work Team.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Fig buttercup - WeedUS Database
University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts

Lesser Celandine - Maine Invasive Plants Bulletin no. 2534
University of Maine. Cooperative Extension.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Lesser Celandine - Invasive Plant Fact Sheets (Jul 2004; PDF | 1.11 MB)
University of Pennsylvania. Morris Arboretum; Delaware River Invasive Plant Partnership.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Ranunculus ficaria (herb) - ISSG Global Invasive Species Database
World Conservation Union. Invasive Species Specialist Group.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Target Invasive Species: Lesser Celandine (PDF | 127 KB)
D&R Greenway Land Trust (New Jersey).
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Controls

Lesser Celandine
Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center.
Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution

Invader of the Month - Lesser Celandine (Feb 2005)
Maryland Invasive Species Council.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Habitat; Controls

Fact Sheet: Lesser Celandine (PDF | 136 KB)
Nature Conservancy in Oregon. Weed Watchers Program.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Lesser Celandine
Plant Conservation Alliance. Alien Plant Working Group.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls