The Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna) is a native perennial herbaceous plant species that carpets woodlands, meadows, and riverbanks across the United Kingdom. Belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, it is one of the earliest flowering plants in the UK, often blooming in late winter or early spring.

Lesser Celandine thrives in nutrient-rich, moist soils, favouring partially shaded habitats. It can be found in a variety of locations, from woodlands to grasslands, and even urban parks and gardens.

Predators of Lesser Celandine include herbivores such as slugs and snails, which may feed on its tender leaves and flowers. However, its ability to rapidly reproduce through tubers and bulblets allows it to persist in spite of grazing pressure.

As a perennial plant, Lesser Celandine can live for several years, forming dense mats of foliage and bright yellow flowers. It reproduces via seeds and vegetatively through its tubers and bulblets, contributing to its ability to spread and colonise new areas.

Culturally, Lesser Celandine has been celebrated in literature and folklore for centuries. It is often associated with the arrival of spring and has been mentioned in poems by renowned English poets such as William Wordsworth and John Clare.

An interesting fact about Lesser Celandine is its ability to close its flowers during overcast weather, a behaviour known as nyctinasty, which helps protect its reproductive organs from cold temperatures and rain. Additionally, its tubers were historically used as a food source and medicinal remedy for various ailments.