7/5/2023 0 Comments Buttercup plantMeadow buttercup Ranunculus acris is plentiful in meadows and on roadside verges, particularly on neutral to alkaline soils, while the bulbous buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus is a farmland species. The specific epithet repens means 'creeping'. The most likely explanation is that both frogs and Ranunculus wildflower species are usually found in damp places. The genus name Ranunculus comes from the Latin rana, meaning frog, while the suffix - culus indicates the diminutive form - hence Ranunculus means 'little frog'. (We strongly advise against eating or using as medicines any plants without first obtaining qualified professional advice.) Etymology Despite these safety concerns, buttercups are sometimes used in herbal treatments for arthritis, bronchitis and several other ailments. There is a risk to farm animals if they are left too long in a buttercup meadow, because when there is no grass left they might have to settle for buttercups, and become very 'unsettled' as a result. The acrid taste of all common buttercup species except the Goldilocks Buttercup Ranunculus auricomus seems to be sufficient deterrent, as there have been only a few cases of serious poisoning. Usesīuttercups contains an irritant latex that can cause very unpleasant reactions in farm animals and in people. The toxin protanemonin is released when the plant is chewed or otherwise wounded and is present in all parts of the plant. Buttercup is toxic to all species of livestock. As its name suggests, it’s a real spreader if left unchecked and can form a dense network of shoots, runners and roots. It is commonly found in gardens, thriving particularly on wet soils. Ranunculus repens blooms in Britain and Ireland from May until October and is generally at its most evident from May to July. Buttercups are sometimes classified as short-lived perennials, but often grow as winter annuals. Creeping buttercup is easily recognised with its bright yellow flowers which attract pollinating insects. It's in the scientific species name, of course: these are wildflowers that spread mainly via creeping runners, known as stolons, in wet meadows, woodland edges and other damp shady places including sheltered spots under shrubs and leafy vegetables in gardens. The pictures of Meadow Buttercup shown on this page were taken in West Wales during May and June. This buttercup is also present in many other parts of the world as an introduced and widely naturalised species. Widespread and common throughout Britain, Ireland and most of mainland Europe, Ranunculus repens is also native to North Africa and Asia. This is Britain's only stoloniferous buttercup, and the very obvious feature of rooting unners is all you really need to see in order to separate it from other common buttercup species such as the Meadow Buttercup. This perennial has three-lobed hairy leaves and five-petalled (exceptionally with up to seven petals) yellow flowers 2 to 3cm in diameter are borne in small clusters. One of the best known of wildflowers, the Creeping Buttercup is a low-growing, attractive wildflower.Ĭreeping Buttercup usually grows to a height of about 30cm. Who is not stopped in their tracks by the sight of a beautiful buttercup meadow? Children today still play the game of finding out if their playmates like butter by holding a buttercup flower under their chin if the golden yellow is reflected on the skin, the answer is 'Yes!' Description Specific epithet means creeping in reference to its stoloniferous spread.Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Ranunculales - Family: Ranunculaceae Genus name comes from the Latin word rana meaning frog because many species grow in damp places. In wild areas, plants may spread over time to form large colonies sometimes covering several acres of land, and in the process compete with and displace less vigorous native plants. Plants often grow in lawns, with flattened basal rosettes that survive foot traffic and mowing. Five-petaled bright yellow flowers (each to 1" wide) bloom from mid-spring to late summer. Compound, shiny, dark green leaves are tri-foliate with toothed, stiff-bristled, obovate to elliptic leaflets (to 3" long). and Canada, commonly naturalizing into fields, roadsides, waste areas and lawns. It has spread throughout most of the U.S. Native to Europe and Asia, this plant has over time naturalized in temperate regions throughout the world. Foliage and flowers are ornamentally attractive. It will form a dense ground cover in moist areas. Ranunculus repens, commonly known as creeping buttercup, is a weedy, stoloniferous perennial that typically rises to 8-12" tall, but spreads to 36" wide or more by prostrate stems that root in the ground at the nodes.
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