This invasive flower is crowding out native blooms across Indiana

Indiana has rich biodiversity with thousands of species in unique habitats, but the ornamental plant trade, globalization and development have introduced new threats to these ecosystems. IndyStar is highlighting some of the invasive species putting our natural landscape at risk and how you can help combat their spread.

Small, bright buttercups — no bigger than a quarter — are growing in a frenzy across Indiana cities. They're popping up in parks and near waterways, drawing the ire of local ecologists.

Lesser celandine ( Ficaria verna ), also known as fig buttercup , is a particularly nasty threat to ecosystems that straddle creeks and riverbeds in urban areas. Hillsides and fields that were once mosaics of blue phlox, wood poppies and Jack-in-the-pulpits have become swaths of mon