Pileworts

Pilewort is a common name that can refer to several different plants, most notably species within the genus Ficaria, now often classified under Ranunculus. These are typically small, herbaceous perennials found in damp, shady areas of Europe and North Africa. They are characterized by their bright yellow, star-shaped flowers that emerge in early spring. The leaves are usually kidney-shaped or cordate, often with dark markings. A notable feature of pileworts is their tendency to produce bulbils or tubers in their leaf axils, which serve as a means of vegetative reproduction. These small, potato-like structures can fall to the ground and grow into new plants. Historically, pilewort has been associated with the treatment of hemorrhoids, hence its common name, though modern medicinal use is not widespread. The plant can be considered a weed in gardens due to its rapid spread. Another plant sometimes referred to as pilewort is *Erysimum cheiranthoides*, commonly known as wormseed wallflower, which belongs to a different family and has yellow flowers but a different growth habit.