Ranunculus

JFlintoff@aol.com JFlintoff@aol.com
Fri, 14 Apr 2006 09:50:33 PDT
Jim

   Your large -flowered robust lesser celandine is Ranunculus ficaria ssp 
ficariiformis.  It is sometimes called R f  ' Major ' in older horticultural 
literature.

    The smaller weedy one is R f ssp bulbifer which has bulbils in the leaf 
axils allowing it to spread in an alarming way. It is this form which gives the 
species a bad name.

    Many of the choicer cultivars are derived from R ficaria ssp ficaria 
which doesnt have the above-ground bulbils.  They however must be dead-headed to 
prevent spreading by seeds.  Many are worth the effort.

Jerry John Flintoff
Vashon Island,Washington,USA
Zone 8


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