Latin name: Rananculus ficaria. Flowers from February to May in woodland, hedgerows and river banks. It is a member of the buttercup family.

According to legend, a young poet called Rananculus had a lovely voice that charmed all who heard him. He often wore flowing silk robes of yellow and green. One day he became so enchanted by his own voice that he died of sheer ecstasy. To honour him, the gods transformed him into a buttercup. Hmm - believe that and you'll believe anything!

The word Celandine comes from the Latin chelidonia meaning 'of the swallow' and legend has it that swallows fed the flower to their young to promote their eyesight. In humans it was once used to cure piles and hence its other name of 'pilewort' - OK, enough already!