Ranunculus ficaria
Ranunculus ficaria, commonly known as Lesser Celandine, is a perennial flowering plant valued in traditional herbalism. Characterized by its bright yellow blooms, it contains bioactive compounds used historically to treat skin ailments and inflammation. However, caution is essential, as its potent constituents can be toxic if improperly prepared.
- Scientific name: Ranunculus ficaria
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic details place it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales. Finally, it is a member of the family Ranunculaceae within the genus Ranunculus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ranunculales | WCVP |
| Family | Ranunculaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ranunculus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the northern reaches of Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its presence extends to the rugged terrains of Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Additionally, the species is documented across the various regions of Great Britain. Collectively, these locations define its primary geographical range in the northern hemisphere.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
Activities
Ranunculus ficaria has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticarcinogenic, Antioxidant, Antiprotozoal.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticarcinogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiprotozoal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |