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Pest SolutionsPESTS + WEEDSUSING PESTICIDES OR HERBICIDES?
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Lesser Celandine
Ficaria verna
Updated Feb 08, 2023
Make a Positive Identification
- Lesser celandine (also known as fig buttercup) grows 6–8 inches tall. It has dark-green leaves shaped like hearts, and yellow flowers. Flowers form in late winter. Plants die back in spring and emerge in the fall.
- Lesser celandine spreads via seeds, tubers, root fragments, and stem bulbs (bulbils).
Species: Lesser Celandine
"Lesser Celandine - Ranunculus ficaria - being more" by joysaphine is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
Lesser celandine forms dense patches that are visible in later winter and spring. Above-ground stems die back and are not visible during summer and fall.
Species: Lesser Celandine
David L. Clement, University of Maryland, Bugwood.org
Plants grow about 6–8 inches tall from the base (rosette).
Species: Lesser Celandine
"Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna aka Ranunculus ficaria)" by Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Yellow flowers have yellow sepals (resemble petals).
Species: Lesser Celandine
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Below-ground, lesser celandine forms tubers. The tubers are energy reserves for plant growth and can form new plants.
Species: Lesser celandine
Small, pale bulbs (called bulbils) form on the stems. They attach to your shoes, clothes, and equipment and spread to new locations. Bulbils are carried by flowing water to new areas.
LOOK-ALIKE: MARSH MARIGOLD
Species: marsh marigold
Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org
The native wetland plant marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) has leaves and flowers that resemble those of lesser celandine. However, marsh marigold doesn’t form dense patches like lesser celandine.
Helpful
This native plant doesn’t require management.
Lesser Celandine Benefits
- Lesser celandine is an invasive weed. It doesn’t have any benefits for people and the environment.
Lesser Celandine Risks
- Lesser celandine quickly grows extensive patches.
- It crowds out other understory plants.
- During the summer, the stems die and leave the soil surface bare and prone to erosion.
Risk Card
Does it cause harm?
Adults & Children
None
Property
High
Spreads quickly with seeds, tubers, root fragments, and stem bulbs (bulbils)
Pets
None
Annoyance
Very High
Very difficult to control
Environment
High
Dominates areas where it is allowed to establish
Action Highly Recommended
Take action to control this invasive weed.
Take Action
Lesser celandine is an invasive weed. Take action to control it.
Do I need to take action?
Yes. Remove individual plants and small patches before you see flowers. Established patches require several years of effort and monitoring to control.
What if I do nothing?
Lesser celandine spreads rapidly and takes over areas. It spreads easily to natural areas where it degrades habitat.
Prevent Lesser Celandine
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Watch for Lesser Celandine Each Year
- Managing large stands requires several years of follow-up monitoring and treatment.
- Look for bulbs on the soil surface as shown in the photo during the winter. Mark the locations for later treatment.
- Plan control actions in winter or early spring. Continue to monitor the area each year.
Weston Miller, Oregon State University
Remove Dirt from Shoes & Equipment
- After working or traveling in an area with lesser celandine, clean your boots and tools. Use a wire brush to remove all the plant parts.
- If you drive into the lesser celandine stand, clean your vehicle.
Weston Miller, Oregon State University
Install New Plants
- Take care of the plants to get them established and to suppress lesser celandine regrowth.
- Replanting stabilizes the soil surface, shades lesser celandine seedlings, and creates habitat.
- Invasion by lesser celandine and removal activities may significantly damage a site, resulting in few or no desirable plants remaining.
- Plan for at least 2-3 years of monitoring and maintenance.
- Your local Extension specialist, soil and water conservation district, or a professional revegetation specialist can suggest strategies for your area.
More Prevention Tips
- Lesser celandine sometimes is offered at plant swaps and sales. It is attractive and easy to grow. Don’t buy it.
- Educate other people about this invasive plant.
Solutions for Lesser Celandine
Early Detection & Rapid Response
Watch for lesser celandine on property you manage. Remove it before it becomes a bigger problem.
Physical Removal of Plants & Non-Chemical Options
Dig out plants. Sift the soil to remove all stems, bulbs, and roots.
Herbicides (Weed Killers)
Herbicides effectively control lesser celandine when used according to the label instructions.
Monitoring & Follow-Up
- Look for lesser celandine rosettes and flowers in the late winter and early spring.
- Act before or during its early flowering period.
- Return to the stand and look for regrowth throughout winter and early spring. Control lesser celandine as needed each year.
- After you remove lesser celandine, new plants will grow in the same spot unless you take steps to prevent them.
NEED HELP?
Consider a licensed pest control company. Learn How to Hire a Pest Control Company.
Your local Extension Specialist in Oregon and other states can suggest other methods.
Jump to
| Method | Does it work? | Is it safe? | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
A Physically Remove Plants |
Somewhat effective |
Low risk |
Recommended |
B Herbicides Triclopyr & Glyphosate |
Effective |
Moderate risk |
Use if Necessary |
|
C If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks
|
A
Physically Remove Plants
Non-Chemical Method
Weston Miller, Oregon State University
Physically Remove Plants
Recommended
- Dig out individual plants and sift the soil. Remove all the stems, tubers, and root pieces.
- Dispose of the plants (all parts) in the trash. To keep this invasive plant from spreading to a new location, do not compost it.
| Does it work? | Somewhat effective
|
| How much effort? | High effort
|
| What's the risk? | Low risk Digging large stands of established plants creates significant soil disturbance. |
| Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals | NONE |
In winter and early spring, dig out individual plants. Sift the soil to remove all the root pieces.
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Weston Miller, Oregon State University
Tips for Removing Lesser Celandine Plants
- Removing tubers and roots with tools is difficult. This method is not recommended for large, established stands.
- If you are digging in an area that floods, remove tubers and bulbils completely. Keep the plant parts from floating downstream and taking root in new areas.
- It will take repeated effort over several years to remove a large patch of lesser celandine.
- Dispose of the plants in the trash. Don’t put them in home compost or yard debris. The remnants will spread the plant to new areas.
Soil Disturbance & Erosion
- Minimize soil disturbance as much as possible when removing lesser celandine.
- Regrade the soil after digging out roots. Apply mulch (when appropriate).
- Take steps to prevent erosion as needed.
- Replant the area to shade out more weeds.
B
Herbicides Triclopyr & Glyphosate
Chemical Method: Use with caution
magesines, iStock
Herbicides Triclopyr & Glyphosate
Use if Necessary
Herbicides with the active ingredients triclopyr and glyphosate can control lesser celandine but the timing is critical. Apply before lesser celandine flowers.
| Does it work? | Effective
|
| How much effort? | Moderate effort Spot-spray individual plants and patches. |
| What's the risk? | Moderate risk
|
| Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals | El uso de herbicidas conlleva cierto grado de riesgo. El riesgo más bajo se presenta con el uso de métodos alternativos. You may be exposed to an herbicide if you:
Follow directions closely to reduce risk. |
Herbicides with active ingredients triclopyr and/or glyphosate used individually or in a mixture are effective chemical treatments for lesser celandine. Look for these chemical names in the “Active Ingredients” section of product labels.
Weston Miller, Oregon State University
Herbicide Application Tips
- Apply herbicides in winter or early spring before or after lesser celandine starts to flower. It will take two to four weeks for the treated plants to die.
- Monitor the area and repeat treatment each year, as needed.
Herbicide Application Requirements for Aquatic Areas
- Herbicides applied over or near a water body must be registered for aquatic use.
- Treating lesser celandine near aquatic areas requires specialized skills. This ensures the herbicide is applied effectively. It also protects waterways.
- Aquatic-use products are rarely sold at plant nurseries or garden centers. They are available through specialty pesticide dealers.
- Aquatic formulas of herbicide products containing active ingredients glyphosate effectively control lesser celandine when used according to label directions.
- Other aquatic-use herbicide products may be legal in your area. Consult a licensed pesticide applicator or your local university extension agent before purchasing or using an aquatic herbicide product.
Consider hiring a licensed pesticide applicator to manage lesser celandine in aquatic areas.
If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks
Chemical Method: Use with Caution
BrianLasenby, iStock
Why is it important to read herbicide labels?
- They have detailed information on how to use the product correctly and legally.
- They contain information on potential hazards of the product.
- They provide instructions you should follow for poisonings and spills.
- Following label instructions helps you to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits.
Key Herbicide Safety Tips
- Read the entire label front to back.
- Follow the instructions.
- Review the instructions even for brands you know.
- Only apply the product where the label says it may be applied.
- Be precise in your application. More is not better.
The Label is the Law
ALWAYS read the label before using herbicide products. The label is a legal document that provides information on how to safely use the herbicide. This helps avoid harm to human health and the environment. Using an herbicide in off-label ways is illegal. It can result in legal enforcement actions.
READ THE LABEL & Follow Instructions
It has instructions to protect you and the environment.
- Labels are different for every product and they often change over time.
- Use a magnifying glass for small print.
- Pay attention to CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER statements.
- Pay attention to the PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS.
- The law states you must read and follow herbicide instructions.
Protect Yourself
Eye, skin & lung irritants
- Wear the right protective gear. This often includes chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, a long-sleeve shirt, pants, socks, and shoes.
- Mix outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Wash hands after mixing or applying, and before eating or smoking.
- Take a shower immediately after handling herbicides.
- Wash clothes worn while mixing or applying separately from other laundry.
Protect Children & Pets
Children and pets are at risk if they eat or touch the plants before it dries.
- Keep them away during and after applying herbicides (read label for how long).
- Remove toys and pet dishes from yard before applying.
- Don’t track herbicide products into your home on shoes or clothes.
Protect Plants You Want to Keep
- Glyphosate and similar herbicide ingredients damage both grass and broadleaf plants.
- Minimize spraying of foliage, stems, exposed roots, or the trunks of desirable shrubs or trees to avoid harm.
- Follow the label to avoid damaging the roots of trees and shrubs.
Don’t Spray into Water
- It’s illegal to apply herbicides in a stream or slow moving/wetland pool.
- You need a product registered for aquatic areas. This includes waterways, ditches, drains, and other places where water collects.
Avoid Wet, Windy, or Hot Weather
Use during favorable weather for best results.
- Don’t spray when it’s raining or when rain is expected in the next 24 hours.
- Wind causes spray to drift that can get on you and desired plants.
- Herbicides may be less effective in hot weather if the target plants are moisture-stressed.
- Some herbicides can turn into a vapor in hot weather and damage nearby plants.
Storage & Disposal
- Store in a secure area away from children.
- Don’t put unused herbicide products in the trash.
- Never pour down any drain or waterway.
- Take unused herbicides to a hazardous waste facility.
Call 1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687) to find out where to dispose of herbicides.
For the Portland metro region in Oregon, contact Metro’s Recycling Information. Call 503-234-3000, email or visit Metro’s website
More about:
About Using Pesticides on School Grounds in Oregon
If using pesticides on school grounds, there are special rules in Oregon. See School Integrated Pest Management (Oregon Department of Agriculture).
NEED HELP?
The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) can answer questions about pest control chemicals.
1-800-858-7378 or npic@ace.orst.edu
Consider using a licensed pest or weed control company. Learn How to Hire a Pest Control Company.
Your local Extension Specialist in Oregon and other states can suggest other methods.
Invasive Species Alert
- Invasives are non-native species that spread aggressively and alter the environment.
- Controlling lesser celandine is costly.
- Please do your part to control it on property you manage. Lesser celandine can spread beyond your property and impact your neighbors.
If you think you’ve lesser celandine in the grey areas of this map, please report it to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline at: 1-866-INVADER (1-888-468-2337) or use their online reporting form
Invasive species data @ 2022, iMapInvasives (NatureServe)
View Larger Map >
If you find lesser celandine in a new area (orange shows already reported cases), please report it
Content provided by editor Weston Miller and writers Jessica Green and J. Jeremiah Mann. Pesticide safety information edited by Kaci Buhl.
Peer reviewed by OSU Department of Horticulture.
Lesser Celandine References
Lesser Celandine
Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District
The Rise of Lesser Celandine
Ohio State University
Control Options for Lesser Celandine (PDF)
Whatcom County, Washington