Plant DetailShow Menu

Ranunculus

Phonetic Spelling
ra-NUN-ku-lus
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Ranunculus is a genus of perennial or annual herbs in the Ranunculaceae family.  The leaves are usually alternate and palmately lobed or divided.  While the thimble-like, April-blooming, often shiny flowers are most commonly yellow, cultivars have been bred bearing many other colors such as orange, pink, red, and white.  The flowers give way to a head of small, dry achenes; because of this, some species can be a bit weedy in disturbed areas.  However, they are great pollinator plants and serve as food for hummingbirds.  Consider using them for beds, borders, rock gardens, and fresh cut flowers.

These plants do best in full to PM sun.  When planting, cover the tuberous roots 3 in. (7.5 cm) in soil and space 3-6 in. (8-15 cm) apart.  Soak the tubers for 1 hour before planting or water well once planted.  The foliage tends to die down in the summer.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
R. carolinianus, R. flammula
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#poisonous#full sun tolerant#yellow flowers#summer bulbs#pollinator plant#spring flowering bulbs#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#perennial#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
R. carolinianus, R. flammula
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#poisonous#full sun tolerant#yellow flowers#summer bulbs#pollinator plant#spring flowering bulbs#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#perennial#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ranunculus
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    USA, Eurasia
    Bulb Storage:
    Store tuberous roots dry at 50-55 degrees F (10-13C).
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Bulb
    Poisonous
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit a head of small, dry achenes.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Orange
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Flower commonly yellow, thimblelike, often shiny. Cultivars in many other colors. Blooms around mid-spring and summer
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    leaves alternate, palmately lobed or divided
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Ingestion causes burning of the mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting, hypersalivation, depression, anorexia, wobbly gait, and bloody diarrhea. Skin redness, burning sensation, and blisters following contact with cell sap.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Protoanemonin, released from the glycoside ranunculin.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems