Spearwort Ranunculus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ra-NUN-ku-lus
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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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:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- R. carolinianus, R. flammula
- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Bulb
- Poisonous
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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)
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit a head of small, dry achenes.
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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
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- leaves alternate, palmately lobed or divided
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
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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
