Native to Europe, north Africa and areas in Asia, the lesser celandine was introduced into the American garden landscape in the 1900’s for its beautiful shiny yellow flowers and glossy green kidney shaped leaves. The plant adapted so well to our gardens that it escaped into nearby native woodlands where it formed thick mats of vegetation competes with our native wildflowers. Because it grows so early in the spring it shades out native violets, spring beauties and trilliums so some consider it an invasive wildflower.
naturechirp 
It’s a beautiful flower, though. If we have to be invaded by a wildflower, I don’t mind one’s like this.
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So many garden escapees that invade the Australian bush too 🙂
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Fascinating – thank you for the information! I can’t even get Lantana to spread in my garden because the forest soil is so poor…
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Yes, it seems to like rich organic moist soils. One of the plants I photographed was thriving in decomposing wood chips.
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