Lesser Celandine

"Lesser celandine" (Ranunculus ficaria), also known as the "fig buttercup" is an attractive but aggresive European plant that gained entry into the US. It is considered an ecological threat by the USDA who recommends destroying the plant if found by spraying with herbicide. It spreads rapidly forming a dense mat that chokes out desirable native species. Its relationship to the Buttercup is pretty obvious. The Buttercup family is considered the most primitive plant family by botanists.