Lesser Celandine
Lesser Celandine
Wildflower
A spring ephemeral that carpets damp woodland floors in glossy golden stars before the trees come into leaf, then disappears underground by summer.
💡 Fun Facts
- Its glossy golden stars are some of the earliest flowers of the year, opening in late winter.
- The shiny petals open wide in sunshine and close up tight when it is cold or cloudy.
- By early summer the whole plant vanishes underground to rest until next spring.
📅 Through the Year
- Flowering:February to April
- Dormant:June to January
Name Story
Ficaria verna
means “The little fig-root of spring”
What does its name mean?
- Ficaria — to do with figs (for its fig-shaped roots)Latin
- verna — of springLatin
One of the very first flowers of the year, opening glossy golden stars in late winter. Dig underground and you'll find clusters of tiny tubers shaped like little figs.