Ficaria verna, commonly known as lesser celandine, is a low-growing spring ephemeral native to Europe and western Asia. It is easily recognized by its glossy, heart-shaped leaves and bright yellow, star-like flowers that appear very early in the year, often before most woodland plants emerge. The name “celandine” comes from the Greek chelidon (“swallow”), reflecting the old belief that it bloomed with the arrival of swallows in spring. Unlike many spring wildflowers, Ficaria verna spreads both by seed and by numerous small tubers, allowing it to form dense carpets across moist woodlands and riverbanks during its brief but striking appearance.