Lesser Celandine
Ficaria verna (Ranunculus ficaria)
Horse
Low
Remove access and monitor the horse; call at the first sign. A good ration of fresh plant. Rarely consumed in large quantities because irritation is immediate.
Equio informs, it does not diagnose. When in doubt, call your vet.
What to do now
- Antidote
- No specific antidote. Symptomatic treatment: anti-inflammatories, gastric protectants if necessary.
- Time to signs
- A few minutes to a few hours.
- Prognosis
- Excellent. Irritation resolves within 24-48 hours without sequelae.
- Remove the horse from the area.
- Generally, no treatment is necessary.
- The horse will stop eating on its own.
- Rinse the mouth if needed.
Its ID card
- Height
- 5-15 cm
- Flowering
- February to May.
- Toxic parts
- Fresh leaves and flowers. The plant becomes benign in hay (protoanemonin transforms into harmless anemonin upon drying).
- Toxin
- Protoanemonin (common to all Ranunculaceae)
- Habitat
- Cool undergrowth, shaded edges, damp meadows, orchards, ditches.
- Soil indicator
- Cool, moist, clayey, and shaded soils.
- Regions
- Entire Europe
- In hay
- Not reported
- Palatability
- Avoided. The danger occurs at the very beginning of spring when it is the only touch of fresh greenery in the pasture and the horse is eager for grass.
When the risk rises
March to May (very early flowering, then the plant visually disappears in summer).
Spotting it in the field
Buttercup (5-petaled flower, much taller plant), Marsh Marigold. — smell : slightly acrid when crushed, but often masked by the smell of grass.
- Small, creeping plant (5-15 cm).
- Heart-shaped leaves, smooth, shiny dark green.
- Flowers with 8-12 bright yellow, glossy petals.
- Small underground tubers resembling figs.
Signs to watch for
Acute toxicity.
Dose : Not applicable, toxicity is primarily irritant and depends on the quantity ingested and the freshness of the plant.
- Heavy drooling (hypersalivation)
- Swollen and painful lips
- Mild colic
- Transient diarrhea
- Loss of appetite due to oral irritation
Who is affected
Other species : Irritating to dogs (which sometimes eat grass) and other ruminants.
In pregnant mares : none.
Getting rid of it
Method : Pull the plant before flowering, ideally wearing gloves to avoid skin irritation. Dried plant in hay is harmless.
- Monitor pastures in early spring to identify the presence of Lesser Celandine.
- Avoid early overgrazing which forces horses to consume less palatable plants.
- Ensure sufficient feeding of good quality hay before pasture turnout.
Frequently asked questions
Can Equio identify Lesser Celandine from a photo?
It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.
Is Lesser Celandine dangerous in hay?
Hay risk is not always reported for this entry, but suspicious forage should still be isolated until checked.
This page is informational. If ingestion is likely, if signs appear, or if the horse is fragile, contact a veterinarian immediately.