Ranunculus

Ranunculus, commonly known as buttercups or crowfoots, is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae. It comprises about 600 species distributed across temperate regions worldwide, with many in Europe, Asia, and North America. The name Ranunculus comes from Latin and means “little frog,” a reference to the damp habitats favored by many species.

Most Ranunculus species are herbaceous perennials or annuals. They can be rhizomatous or tuberous, and some species are aquatic or semi-aquatic. Leaves are typically deeply lobed and may form a basal rosette. Flowers are usually solitary and showy, with five glossy petals that are commonly yellow, though colors include orange and white in some species and cultivars. In cultivated forms, especially the ornamental Ranunculus asiaticus, many-petaled, rose-like blooms are produced in a wide range of colors. The fruit is an aggregate of achenes that develops after flowering.

Distribution and habitat vary by species, but wild buttercups are generally found in moist meadows, damp grasslands, stream banks, woodland margins, and wetlands. Some species, such as Ranunculus aquatilis (water crowfoot), are aquatic, while others are creeping and can spread aggressively in disturbed soils or gardens, as with Ranunculus repens (creeping buttercup).

Cultivation and horticulture: Ranunculus asiaticus is the primary ornamental species, grown from tubers or corms planted in autumn in well-drained soil for spring blooms. They require full sun and protection from poor drainage, as rot is common in wet soils. Double-flowered cultivars are popular in cut flower arrangements. In gardens, some wild species can naturalize or behave aggressively.

Toxicity: All parts contain compounds that can irritate skin and mucous membranes if crushed and can be poisonous if ingested, posing risks to humans and livestock.