The Lesser Celandine

Lesser Celandines – Park Wood, Nr Wells, Somerest, UK. ID JB_6907

There is a Flower, the Lesser Celandine,
That shrinks, like many more, from cold and rain;
And, the first moment that the sun may shine,
Bright as the sun himself, ’tis out again! – William Wordsworth

Swell Wood in Spring – Swell, Somerset, UK. ID 810_7789

Lesser Celandine is related to buttercups.  This is not different to believe.  But it needs a better name if people are to love it as much as its famous cousins.

Lesser celandine (Ficaria vernal) – High Ham, Somerset, UK. ID 810_2929

They love damp woodland.  In Somerset there is plenty of those this year.

Lesser Celandine – Henton, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_8113

As one of the first flowers to appear after winter, they provide an important nectar source for queen bumblebees and other pollinators emerging from hibernation, and other early insects. – Woodland Trust

Lesser celandine (Ficaria vernal) – High Ham, Somerset, UK. ID 810_2964

On a day when March snow returned to Somerset for the second time this year, it was only one degree Celsius early this morning at Park Wood.  Forgetting my gloves again.

As the dew hangs around on cold spring days the celandines are slow to open.

Lesser Celandine – Henton, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_8106

And finally…

Lesser celandine is also known as pilewort because they look like piles.  This creates a picture I did not expect to imagine today!  It seems my mind’s view was wrong, as it is their roots that look like piles not the flowers.

Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) – Wookey Hole, Somerset. UK. ID 805_9162