Ranunculus ficaria L.

Spice Flower In the field 1 In the field 2

Family: RANUNCULACEAE

Genus: Ranunculus

Catalan common name: Celidònia. Gatassa. Herba de les morenes.

Spanish common name: Celidonia menor. Hierba de las almorranas.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Girona. Lleida.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Geophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches).

Characteristics: We will quickly recognise this plant due to its flowers (around 5 cm in diametre) with many glossy, yellow petals; moreover it flowers in winter and at the beginning of spring when few plants are in flower among the grasslands in very moist places, often near torrents (dry river beds) or ditches. The leaves are also shiny with a rounded margin and an auriculate base; they have a long petiole. The roots are tuberous.