Lesser Celandine

Lesser celandine
larger image
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ranunculales Family: Ranunculaceae Genus: Ranunculus Species: ficaria
Binomial name
Ranunculus ficaria'

Lesser celandine, (Ranunculus ficaria) is a low-growing, hairless perennial with rather fleshy dark green, heart-shaped leaves. According to Gilbert White, a diarist writing around 1800 in the Hampshire village of Selborne the plants came out on February 21st, but it is more commonly reported to flower from March until May, and is sometimes called the "spring messenger" as a consequence. The flowers are yellow, turning white as they age. In shady places the leaves develop bulbils at the base of the stalk. The plant is found throughout Europe and prefers bare, damp ground.

The plant used to be known as pilewort as it was used to treat haemorrhoids. Supposedly the knobbly tubers of the plant resemble piles and according to the Doctrine of Signatures this resemblance suggests that pilewort could be used to cure piles. The poet William Wordsworth was very fond of the flower and it inspired him to write three poems. Upon Wordsworth's death it was proposed that a celandine be carved on his tombstone, but unfortunately the Greater celandine Chelidonium majus was mistakenly used.