Ranunculus ficaria (herb)

Ecology Distribution Management Info Impact Info References and Links Contacts

Management Information Chemical: Swearingen (2004) states that, "R. ficaria is very difficult to control but it can be managed with persistence over time using methods that are site appropriate. While manual methods are possible for some small infestations, the use of systemic herbicide kills the entire plant tip to root and minimizes soil disturbance. The window of opportunity for controlling R. ficaria is very short, due to its life cycle. In order to have the greatest negative impact to R. ficaria and the least impact to desirable native wildflower species, herbicide should be applied in late winter-early spring. Apply glyphosate isopropylamine salt mixed with water and a non-ionic surfactant to foliage, avoiding application to anything but the R. ficaria. To minimize impacts to sensitive-skinned frogs and salamanders, some experts recommend applying herbicide in March and then switching to manual methods. Mechanical: For small infestations, R. ficaria may be pulled up by hand or dug up using a hand trowel or shovel. It is very important to remove all bulblets and tubers." The authors caution that mechanical control is considered inappropriate for large infestations in high quality natural areas because of disturbance to soil.              Management Resources/Links 1. Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States. 2002. Lesser Celandine - Ranunculus ficaria. Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas: National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.         Summary: Information on description, economic importance, distribution, habitat, history, growth, and impacts and management of species. Available from: http://www.invasive.org/eastern/midatlantic/rafi.html [Accessed 31 May 2004] 2. IPANE (Invasive Plant Atlas of New England). 2001. Ranunculus ficaria (Fig buttercup, lesser celandine). Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut [Online Database].         Summary: Information on description, economic importance, distribution, habitat, history, growth, and impacts and management of species. Available from: http://webapps.lib.uconn.edu/ipane/browsing.cfm?descriptionid=89 [Accessed 31 May 2004] 3. Plants for a Future Database. UNDATED. Ranunculus ficaria. Plants for a Future: A Resource Center for Edible and Other Useful Plants.         Summary: Information on description, economic importance, distribution, habitat, history, growth, and impacts and management of species. Available from: http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Ranunculus+ficaria&CAN=LATIND [Accessed 31 May 2004] 4. Swearingen, J. 2004. Lesser Celandine - Ranunculus ficaria. Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group.         Summary: Information on description, economic importance, distribution, habitat, history, growth, and impacts and management of species. Information on description, economic importance, distribution, habitat, history, growth, and impacts and management of species. Available from: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/rafi1.htm [Accessed 31 May 2004] 5. University of Maine Cooperative Extension. 2004. Lesser Celandine. Maine Invasive Plants. Maine Natural Areas Program & University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Bulletin #2534.         Summary: Information on description, economic importance, distribution, habitat, history, growth, and impacts and management of species. Available from: http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/2534.htm [Accessed 31 May 2004]          Results Page: 1