Lesser Celandine

Ranunculus ficaria

Family: Ranunculaceae

Related genera: Aconite, Anemone, Aquilegia, Delphinium, Helleborus, Pulsatilla

Name: Celandine comes probably from the Latin chelidonia, meaning swallow: it was said that the flowers bloomed when the swallows returned and faded when they left. The name Ranunculus is Late Latin for "little frog," from rana "frog" and a diminutive ending. This probably refers to many species being found near water, like frogs.

Other names are Small Celandine, Figwort, Smallwort, Pilewort, brighteye, butter and cheese. In Germany it is commonly known as Scharbockskraut, also Feigwurz or Frühlingsscharbockskraut.

History and Folklore:

Medicinal & Toxicological: As the German name indicates it is said to be anti-scorbutic. The leaves contain Vitamine C. Like other Anemones the plant develops poisonous Protoanemonin. The amount of Protoanemonin in the palnt increases when in flower. It is adviced to ingest before the plant flowers and only in small amounts.Lesser Celandine is also a traditional remedy for piles.

Sources: Wikipedia English, Wikipedia German