In the late 1800s, Americans planted lesser celandine for its bright yellow flowers; it escaped gardens, reached 31 states and covered 400 acres in one Ohio park

Lesser celandine was introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant, prized for its bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring. But the plant, native to Europe and parts of Asia, eventually escaped gardens and spread into woodlands, wetlands and stream banks. Its ability to form dense carpets before many native wildflowers emerge has made it a concern for conservationists trying to protect native plant communities. According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, lesser celandine (Ficaria verna), also known as fig buttercup, has spread to 31 US states. In one Ohio park, it covers an estimated 400 acres. The plant’s early growth, rapid reproduction and ability to regenerate from underground structures make established infestations difficult to remove.

From ornamental planting to invasive spread

The plant was introduced in North America in the 19th century due to its ornamental value. The glossy leaves and the yellow flowers were some of the factors that made this plant appealing to gardeners. This plant can spread from cultivated areas to new sites through tubers and bulbils. It also grows well in moist areas such as floodplains, streams and woodlands. It can form patches in wet areas and spread outward along waterways because it regenerates from underground parts; any fragments left behind can produce new plants.


Over time, lesser celandine has spread beyond gardens into nearby natural areas. One reason it can take hold so easily is that it starts growing early in the year, often before many native wildflowers have begun to emerge. It can quickly cover the ground with a thick layer of leaves, leaving less room for other plants to grow. Getting rid of it is not always easy, either. Even small tubers or bulbils left behind in the soil can produce new plants, so the same patch may return if removal is not thorough.

How early growth threatens native wildflowers

Lesser celandine possesses certain seasonal advantages over many native woodland plants. It grows early in the season and sometimes before the trees have developed their full canopy, as well as before the native spring flowers have begun to grow. At this time, it can dominate the woodland floor by taking up considerable space and shading other plants.

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, dense stands of lesser celandine can displace native spring wildflowers and reduce plant diversity. These early-flowering native species are important components of woodland ecosystems, and their decline can affect the food and habitat available to insects and other wildlife. The foliage of the invasive plant typically dies back in early summer, although the underground tubers and bulbils remain dormant. As a result, infestations may be harder to spot later in the year even though the plant is still present.

Why removal requires careful management

Removing lesser celandine is difficult because its underground reproductive parts can survive if they are not destroyed. Smaller infestations can be pulled up, yet the process should cover both tubers and bulbils along with the aboveground plants. Moving soil without removing the underground parts can spread the infestation. Minnesota Department of Agriculture states that the infestation should be destroyed when it is small; in addition, one should watch the treated place for any re-infestations. Mowing is usually ineffective because it can scatter the bulbils.

Preventing further spread is just as important. Gardeners can stop planting lesser celandine, and managers of lands can decontaminate soil and plant parts from machinery that was in use within the contaminated sites. Native plants such as marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris) offer a similar yellow spring bloom without introducing this invasive species. The example of lesser celandine shows how a plant introduced for ornamental use can become an ecological problem.