Lesser celandme can look like tulips during its flowering phase. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources)

MARQUETTE — Lesser celandine is a non-native, low-growing perennial plant in the buttercup family, most often found along streams and in forested floodplains.

Characterized by heart-shaped leaves and glossy yellow flowers, it can spread by seeds, tubers (underground stems) and bulbils (tiny bulblike structures where the leaf meets the stem).

These three methods of reproduction allow the plant to spread rapidly in areas with disturbed soils, including banks scoured by flooding, paths and open areas, crowding out native plants like spring beauties and trilliums, which inhabit similar spaces.

As a spring ephemeral — a short-lived species that sprouts early in spring, flowers, goes to seed and then completely dies back and disappears well before summer begins — lesser celandine is particularly difficult to control.

“Lesser celandine isn’t a regulated species in Michigan, and it’s not commonly sold today, but it was first brought here as a spring interest species for gardens,” said Susie Iott, invasive species program specialist for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

It recently has been identified in some areas of the Grand River watershed, but lesser celandine may be in other locations as well.

“With the prioritization afforded by the watch list, we’re hoping reports by partners and the public can help us understand how far the invasion extends so we can make the best decisions about how to steward our resources — both financial and natural,” said Katie Grzesiak, terrestrial invasive species coordinator with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Sightings of lesser celandine, visible in early spring, can be reported through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network or on the free MISIN app.

Note that Michigan’s native marsh-marigold can be confused for lesser celandine, but it is often two to four times the size of lesser celandine, growing up to 2 feet tall, with larger flowers and leaves that last throughout the summer.

More information on identifying, reporting and preventing the introduction or spread of watch list species is available at Michigan.gov/Invasives/ID-Report/Watchlist.

What to look for

• Low-growing (generally 3 to 6 inches but up to 12 inches), spreading perennial plant found in floodplains in early spring.

• Small (1 inch wide,) bright yellow flowers with 8 to 12 petals.

• Shiny, dark-green leaves are kidney- or heart-shaped and often borne in a central rosette.

• May be found singly, but forms a thick carpet in densely-infested areas, especially along trails and in forested river floodplains.

• Spreads by seeds, rhizomes, and bulbils (tiny bulb-like structures found where leaves connect to the stem).

• Grows in moist forests before trees leaf out (March/April); entire plant disappears by the end of May.