I must inject a bit of exoneration for the wild form of Ranunculus ficaria. In natural and waste areas, like along our stream, it is very cheerful at this time of the year, and the deer don't eat it! For fans of Tolkien, I think of it as the golden star shaped flower that grows in Lothlorien. I appreciate a thug that can stand up to the appetites of deer and the feet of children and the juggernaut machines of maintenance goons. Dell -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Jim McKenney Sent: Friday, April 14, 2006 12:23 PM To: 'Pacific Bulb Society' Subject: Re: [pbs] Ranunculus The typical forms of Ranunculus ficaria are such indomitable weeds in this area that I never thought I would invite one into the garden (which is already overrun with one of the common forms). But something I'm seeing in a few local gardens may be weakening my resolve. I've posted to the wiki an image which shows a very robust, large-flowered form. The image shows a flower of this large-flowered form next to that of a typical form. Take a look at: http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/… The lesser celandines are sometimes placed in a genus of their own, Ficaria. An IPNI search brings up 38 names. Does anyone know if this large-flowered form has a name? Jim McKenney Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where we get a "desert in bloom" effect when the lesser celandine blooms here. _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php