Management Guide for Ficaria verna (fig buttercup)
Species Name Ficaria verna (FIVE2)1 Common Name lesser celadine Family: Ranunculaceae Common name - 1, 2, 5 fig buttercup, pilewort, figroot Synonyms: buttercup, figwort, bulbous buttercup, small crowfoot
Form: Perennial forb/herb Former species name- Ranunculus ficaria 3, 6, 11 Habitat: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 Prefers moist ground in open low/moist woodlands, floodplains, fields, creek banks, and waste areas, as well as lawns, roadsides and landscaped areas. Occurrence: 4, 9 Native range: 2, 3, 9 Present in 22 American states and 4 Canadian provinces Asia, Europe and North Africa Flowering time- March to April 2, 3, 4 Weed class: OR- class7 B, WA- class B5, 9, BC- N/A Weed ID: 2, 3, 5, 6 Highly variable low growing (under 1’) mounded rosette perennial forb, hairless with basal and stem leaves. Leaves are shiny dark green that are heart-shaped to oblong or triangular, with smooth or rounded toothed edges, 4-9cm long, often paler on their undersides with lower leaves having longer petioles. Bright yellow solitary flowers between 3 cm and 7.6 cm in diameter on stem tip, form clusters of achenes, usually with about 8 petals (can from be 7-13) and 3 or sometimes 4 pale green sepals. Fruit is a small globular shaped cluster of achenes, each containing a single seed and does not split open when dry. Pale/light colored bulbs along the above ground portions of the stem, and club-shaped, tuberous roots Look-a-likes: see photos below Caltha palustris- yellow marsh marigold (Native)5, 8 Weed distinction C. palustris does not have tuberous roots or bulbils and lacks distinct sepals & petals (makes petal-like sepals only)5 and flowers bloom in clusters8 Ecological Impacts: 2, 4, 5, 8 Grows dense in very early spring, preventing sprouting of natives and dense roots & tubers prevents growth of other species even after leaf die-back.10 Easily spread by disturbing the soil, via tubers and bulbils/bulblets. Digging tools and mowing equipment can spread it as well. Fig buttercup is highest threat to spring ephemerals.
Management Guide for Ficaria verna
Control Methods
Large Scale: Chemical Broad spectrum herbicides like Glyphosate are very effective for non-sensitive habitats.10, 12 Triclopyr may also be effective.10 Timing (both glyphosate & triclopyr) o Late winter to early spring at start of growth, before most native plant species have emerged and before F. verna blooms5, 12 and in temperatures above 40°F /4.4°C.
Small Scale: Hand digging needs to be thorough, making sure to remove all plant parts and continue to monitor for growth from anything missed. Bag & dispose of all plant material, do not compost on site.5, 8 Timing o Winter to early summer 8
Sheet mulching with wood chips can smother plants but requires 6” deep layer.5 Timing o Summer to spring, whenever not at maximum growth. Unsuccessful control methods: Mowing- Do not mow, as it will spread the plant more.5
Last Updated By: Lauren Clark Date/Time: 9/24/2019
References: 1. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=RAFI 2. https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=3069 3. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=368056&isprofile=0&%22 4. https://www.invasive.org/alien/pubs/midatlantic/five.htm 5. Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board. “Lesser Celandine- Ficaria verna.” https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/lesser-celandine-1 6. http://www.luontoportti.com/suomi/en/kukkakasvit/lesser-celandine 7. Oregon Department of Agriculture. “’B’ Rated Weeds- Lesser celandine.” Noxious Weed Control Program. https://www.oregon.gov/oda/shared/Documents/.../Weeds/LesserCelandineProfile.pdf 8. Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District. “Lesser Celandine.” (2019). https://www.swcd.net/invasive-noxious-weeds/lesser- celandine-2/ 9. https://www.whatcomcounty.us/926/Noxious-Weed-Education 10. https://www.whatcomcounty.us/930/Noxious-Weed-Fact-Sheets 11. US Department of Agriculture. “Weed Risk Assessment for Ficaria verna Huds. (Ranunculaceae)– Fig buttercup.” (2015) https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/weeds/downloads/wra/ficaria-verna.pdf 12. Little Falls Watershed Alliance. “Tips for controlling lesser celandine.” (2015). https://www.lfwa.org/updates/tips-controlling-lesser- celandine 2
Management Guide for Ficaria verna (fig buttercup)
Photos:
Management Guide for Ficaria verna
Look-a-like Photos:
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Management Guide for Ficaria verna
Look-a-like Photos: Caltha palustris
lacks sepals developing fruit
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