LESSER CELANDINE (ranunculus ficaria)

Creeping perennial, also known as Pilewort (the shape of its tubers were thought to look like haemorrhoids!) and Smallwort. Grows 2 � 10 ins (5 � 25 cm) high. Found in the wild on woodland floors and by stream banks. Member of the Buttercup family. One of the first woodland flowers to bloom each year. Heart-shaped leaves and bright-yellow, many-petalled flowers from March to May. The leaves emerge before the flowers and are grazed by wood pigeons. The flowers close before rain, don�t open before 9 am and are closed again by 5 pm. The Celtic name of the plant, �grian� (the sun) refers to this habit.

Name may derive from the Geek for �swallow� (chelidon) because of the belief that Lesser Celandine flowers when the swallows return � they actually flower two or three months before the swallows return! �Ficaria� comes from the Latin ficus, meaning fig � the tubers form bunches which look like figs.

The petals have honey sacs at their base but, because the flowers bloom in colder weather than many insects can tolerate, few become fertilised. So as another method of reproduction the plant produces round bulbils where the upper leaves joint the stem. In early summer these become loose and drop to the ground, each one able of producing a new plant. Relies on bees and flies for pollination. Plant is a good early source of nectar and pollen and is the food plant of the Flame Brocade moth.

Plant is used to treat piles. Roots are squashed and the juice mixed with wine or urine and applied to the piles. Used externally also for perineal damage after giving birth.Plant in shade � can be very invasive but does provide good ground cover for a woodland area. Can be planted in containers � can be left to dry out in summer and watered again late winter to rejuvenate (plant dies back after flowering).

CAUTION - HARMFUL IF EATEN

*This sheet is provided for information only and is in no way a prescription for use. Please seek the advice of a qualified herbalist before using*

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