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Uses

Toxic parts

All parts of the plant are poisonous, the toxins can be destroyed by heat or by drying[1][2][3][4][5][6]. The plant has a strongly acrid juice that can cause blistering to the skin[6][7].

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - cooked and used as greens[8]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Leaves

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Ranunculus acris.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The whole plant is acrid, anodyne, antispasmodic, diaphoretic and rubefacient[1][9]. The plant has been crushed and applied as a poultice to the chest to relieve colds and chest pains[8].

The fresh leaves have been used as a rubefacient in the treatment of rheumatism etc[10]. The flowers and the leaves have been crushed and sniffed as a treatment for headaches[8]. An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[8]. The poulticed root is also rubefacient and was applied to boils and abscess[10][8]. The plant sap has been used to remove warts[1]. The sap has also been used as a sedative[8]. The flowers are used in Tibetan medicine, where they are considered to have an acrid taste and a heating potency[11]. Their use is said to promote heat, dissolve tumours and draw out serous fluids[11]. They are used in the treatment of disorders brought about by rotting sores or wounds[11].

Use with caution[9], the whole plant is extremely acrid and can cause intense pain and burning of the mouth, mucous membranes etc[10].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. You are very unlikely to need to encourage this plant. Division in spring. Very easy, though probably totally unnecessary, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Ranunculus acris. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a moist loamy soil[12]. Grows well in marshy soils[13].

Plants are hardy to at least -20°c[14]. A good plant for the summer meadow[13]. It spreads rapidly by means of runners and is often a weed in lawns or gardens. A polymorphic species, there is at least one named variety. 'Flore Pleno' is a double-flowered form that does not spread by runners and so is unlikely to become a nuisance in the garden[14].

A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[15].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Ranunculus acris. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Ranunculus acris.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Ranunculus acris
Genus
Ranunculus
Family
Ranunculaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Illustration Ranunculus acris0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Ranunculus acris0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Illustration Ranunculus acris0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus ISBN 0-7011-2526-8 (1980-00-00)
    3. ? Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    4. ? Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
    5. ? Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold ISBN 0442222009 (1982-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    7. ? Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.7 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India ISBN 81-900489-0-2 (1994-00-00)
    12. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. ()
    14. ? 14.014.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    15. ? Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)
    16. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Illustration Ranunculus acris0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.