Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria, syn. Ficaria grandiflora Robert,
Ficaria verna Huds.) is a low-growing, hairless perennial plant, with
fleshy dark green, heart-shaped leaves. The plant is found throughout
Europe and west Asia and is now introduced in North America. It
prefers bare, damp ground and in the UK it is often a persistent
garden weed. The flowers are orange, turning yellow as they age.
Ranunculus ficaria exists in both diploid (2n=16) and tetraploid
(2n=32) forms which are very similar in appearance. However, the
tetraploid type prefer more shady locations and frequently develops
bulbils at the base of the stalk. These two variants are sometimes
referred to as distinct sub-species, R. ficaria ficaria and R. ficaria
bulbifer respectively.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, celandine comes from the
Latin chelidonia, meaning swallow: it was said that the flowers
bloomed when the swallows returned and faded when they left.[2] 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.
According to Gilbert White, a diarist writing around 1800 in the
Hampshire village of Selborne, the plants came out on February 21, but
it is more commonly reported to flower from March until May, and is
sometimes called the "spring messenger" as a consequence.
The plant used to be known as Pilewort because it was used to treat
haemorrhoids.[citation needed] Supposedly, the knobbly tubers of the
plant resemble piles, and according to the doctrine of signatures this
resemblance suggests that pilewort could be used to cure piles. The
German vernacular Scharbockskraut ("Scurvyherb") derives
from the use of the early leaves, which are high in vitamin C, to
prevent scurvy.[citation needed] The plant is widely used in Russia
and is sold in most pharmacies as a dried herb.
[WikipediA]
© 2012 stefanorugolo | All rights reserved.
Estevam Cesar, and 173 other people added this photo to their favorites.
View 20 more comments
Mazé Parchen 14 months ago | reply
Very nice!
Happy Thursday Flower!
Rafael de Jesus 14 months ago | reply
Maravillosa tu foto...
Feliz Quinta Flower!!
João Batista** 14 months ago | reply
Linda foto. Feliz quinta flower!
swetlanahasenjäger 14 months ago | reply
Wonderful macro shot, Stefano !
suely.dourado 14 months ago | reply
wonderful flower and colors!!
feliz quinta-flower, Stefano ;))
Gilda Tonello 14 months ago | reply
Belíssima flores
Feliz quinta florida !!
Joalhi "Back in Miami" 14 months ago | reply
Brilliant! so beautiful!
koisa de Maria 14 months ago | reply
Belíssimo registro e composição!
Feliz quinta flowers
i_still_believe_in_u 14 months ago | reply
what a charming blossom!!
LellePelle 13 months ago | reply
Svalörten blommar just nu i trädgården. Mycket vacker bild!
mr moor 13 months ago | reply
Very familiar little flowers, we have these too in our yard and are the very first to pop up after winter. Beautiful capture Stefano.
zneppi, the photo freak 13 months ago | reply
Wonderful light and details.
Marco de Waal 13 months ago | reply
Nice picture! Excellent!
Marco
Via the past week's most Interesting uploads at #4 on Fluidr
judojudo 13 months ago | reply
Ottima macro, complimenti !!!
Iren myworld 13 months ago | reply
wunderschönes Macro!
Radisa Zivkovic 12 months ago | reply
!!!
christiel253 11 months ago | reply
i think its beautiful
alaminkhan776 10 months ago | reply
Beautiful
Urban Enviromental Space 7 months ago | reply
So nice & realistic !!! Beautiful Flower of Nature !!
Amazing shot !!
JoeCow 4 days ago | reply
I clicked the star!