Ranunculus flammula
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ra-NUN-ku-lus FLA-muh-luh
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Lesser Spearwort is a herbaceous perennial that produces small solitary yellow flowers on slender, creeping stalks. The tiny flower grows on short upward-facing stalks. Each flower typically has 5 egg-shaped petals but may have four or as many as 11. The center of the flower has numerous yellow stamens surrounding green styles. Spreading sepals are found just below the petals, and they sometimes are slightly pubescent. Stems creep along the ground and root at the nodes, a habit that creates a dense tangled mat of stems and leaves. Lesser Spearwort is found along lakeshores, pond margins, and other shallow water. When growing in the water, it spreads along or just beneath the surface.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: All parts of the plant are poisonous.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ranunculus
- Species:
- flammula
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- USA and Canada
- Distribution:
- AK, AX, CA, CO, CT, ID, MA, ME, MN, MT, ND, NH, NM, NV, NY, OR, PA, RI, UT, VT, WA, WI
- Fire Risk Rating:
- high flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Flies and bees are attracted to the plant.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Water Plant
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small bright yellow flowers, up to 1/3". Solitary flower on a slender 2-3" stalk. Each flower will have 5 egg-shaped petals, although some may have as few as 4 or as many as 11 petals. There are many yellow stamens gathered around green styles in the middle.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Ovate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Its dark green oval leaves are semi-prostrate. the surface is smooth or may have fine hairs (pubescent).
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Reddish stems up to 16" in length creep along the ground.
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Ingestion causes burning of the mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting, depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, wobbly gait, and bloody diarrhea. Skin redness, burning sensation, and blisters following contact with cell sap. All parts are poisonous when fresh. Heat or drying will destroy the toxins.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Protoanemonin (an irritant)
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
