Practical
Plants

Ranunculus reptans

Creeping Spearwort

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.2 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[3], the toxins being destroyed by heat or by drying[6]. The plant also has a strongly acrid juice that can cause blistering to the skin[6][2].

Edible uses

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

Root - cooked[7]. The roots have been baked and then dipped in oil before being eaten[7]. There are no edible uses listed for Ranunculus reptans.

Environment

Range
Northern and central Europe, including Britain.
Habitat
A rare plant of lake margins in the Lake District and in Scotland[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, 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. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Very easy, 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 greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[5].

References

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

    ↩

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

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

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

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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