Ranunculus acris
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ra-NUN-ku-lus AK-riss
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Meadow buttercup is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), originally native to Eurasia but now naturalized across most of the US and Canada. The species epithet is from the Latin for “sharp,” apparently referring to the narrow and pointed lobes of the leaves on the upper portion of the erect stem.
Meadow buttercup grows spontaneously in meadows, roadsides, pastures and disturbed area. It favors sunny positions on moist, humus-rich soil.
The meadow buttercup has some of the largest flowers of the weedy species. Their shining yellow petals appear almost varnished.
This species is a garden weed in most circumstances, but a welcome addition to a wildflower meadow. Although not native, this species has flowers that attract pollinators, especially hoverflies.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Flore Pleno'
double flowers
- 'Flore Pleno'
- 'Flore Pleno'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Flore Pleno'
double flowers
- 'Flore Pleno'
- 'Flore Pleno'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ranunculus
- Species:
- acris
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Greenland, Europe, Russia
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- In livestock, ingestion has caused blistering of the tongue and lips, diarrhea and blindness. Consumption can also cause irregular heart rhythm and respiratory failure.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- ranunculin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Stems
