Species: Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna (formerly Ranunculus ficaria))
Family: Buttercups (RANUNCULACEAE)
Category: Flowering Plants
Location: NW
A. Flowering Plants
More extensive information on flowering plants can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Buttercups (RANUNCULACEAE)
Members of this poisonous family have bisexual flowers, and they include many common garden plants as well as wildflowers. The family name means 'little frog'!
C. Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna (formerly Ranunculus ficaria))
The flowers of this native of the buttercup family appear from March. It was Wordsworth's favourite flower, and it never opens before 9 am and closes no later than 5 pm, and earlier if it is going to rain. Its old name of Pilewort comes from the fact that its root tubers look like piles and from its use to treat piles, by an infusion, poultice or ointment. Boil the plant in white wine, sweeten with honey, and drink to soothe a sore throat.
Images
Lesser Celandine
The flowers of the native Lesser Celandine, a member of the buttercup family appear, from March.
Lesser Celandine
The Lesser Celandine was Wordsworth's favourite flower, and it never opens before 9 am and closes no later than 5 pm, and earlier if it is going to rain.
Lesser Celandine
The old name of Lesser Celandine, Pilewort, comes from the fact that its root tubers look like piles and from its use to treat piles.
