lesser celandine (Ficaria verna) observed in Mill Neck, NY, USA
iNaturalist: kenelma
Invasive Species
Lesser celandine spreads aggressively in early spring before native wildflowers emerge, and once it takes hold in a park or garden it can crowd out beloved natives like trout lily and spring beauty — the kind of plants that make a spring walk magical.
Lesser celandine is a small, yellow-flowered plant originally from Europe that has become a serious problem in American woodlands and wetlands. It blooms very early in spring, giving it a head start over native plants, and it spreads so densely it can take over the forest floor. This sighting at a wildlife sanctuary on Long Island shows it is present in a protected natural area that people visit to enjoy native wildlife and plants.
Key Findings
Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna) was observed at North Shore Wildlife Sanctuary, specifically within Shu Swamp — a protected wetland habitat in Mill Neck, NY.
The sighting is documented on iNaturalist, contributing to citizen-science tracking of this invasive species' geographic range in the northeastern United States.
Shu Swamp is a rare Atlantic white cedar swamp, making invasive species presence particularly concerning for this vulnerable and uncommon habitat type.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Lesser celandine, an invasive European plant, was spotted blooming at Shu Swamp in Mill Neck, NY — a protected nature sanctuary on Long Island's North Shore. This sighting adds to the record of its spread through sensitive natural areas in the northeastern US.
Abstract Preview
North Shore Wildlife Sanctuary Shu Swamp
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Species Mentioned
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Ficaria verna, commonly known as lesser celandine or pilewort, is a low-growing, hairless perennial flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. It has fleshy dark green, heart-shaped leaves and distinctive flowers with bright yellow, glossy petals. Native to Europe and Western Asia, it...