Fig buttercup (Ranunculus ficaria)

At a glance

Lifecycle: Perennial (hardy)
Exposure: Full sun

Cultivation

Prefers a moist loamy neutral to alkaline soil in full sun or shade. A very common and invasive weed. These are normally less invasive than the type species. The plant flowers early in the year when there are few pollinating insects and so seed is not freely produced. Grows well along woodland edges. The flowers do not open in dull weather and even on sunny days do not open before about 9 o'clock in the morning and are closed by 5 o'clock in the evening. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. This species doesn't really need any help from us. Division in spring.

Edible uses

Young leaves in spring - raw or cooked as a potherb. Caution is advised regarding the use of this plant for food, see the notes above on toxicity. Bulbils - cooked and used as a vegetable. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. The flower buds make a good substitute for capers.

Medicinal uses

Lesser celandine has been used for thousands of years in the treatment of haemorrhoids and ulcers. The whole plant, including the roots, is astringent.

Material uses

The flower petals are an effective tooth cleaner. ( See notes at top of the page before using the petals) The plant often forms dense carpets when grown in the shade and can therefore be used as a ground cover though they die down in early summer. This should be done with some caution, however, since the plant can easily become an unwanted and aggressive weed in the garden[K].