Practical
Plants

Ranunculus repens

Creeping Buttercup

a perennial member of the Ranunculus genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.3 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Bees, Flies, Beetles
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

All parts of the plant are poisonous[5], the toxins being destroyed by heat or by drying[9]. The plant also has a strongly acrid juice that can cause blistering to the skin[9][4].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - cooked and used as a pot-herb[6][1]. A famine food, used when all else fails, and I would rather give it a miss even then[K]! See the notes above on toxicity. Root - must be dried beforehand and thoroughly cooked[2]. Personally, I would rather give this one a miss[K], see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The entire plant is analgesic and rubefacient[7]. A poultice of the chewed leaves has been used in the treatment of sores, muscular aches and rheumatic pains[7]. Some caution is advised in the use of this plant, see the notes above on toxicity.

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Rubefacient

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Spain, through Asia to China and Japan.
Habitat
Wet meadows, pastures, woods, dune slacks etc[5]. A common and rampant weed, avoiding acid soils[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. A very common weed, it doesn't really need any help from us. Division in spring. Very easy, though probably totally unnecessary, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moist loamy soil on the heavy side. A rampantly spreading weed of grassland, few gardeners would want to introduce it to their land[K]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[8].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. Gunther. E. Ethnobotany of Western Washington. University of Washington Press 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-295-95258-X

    ↩

  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  5. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  7. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  8. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩

  9. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩1↩2

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