Buttercup, (genus Ranunculus), genus of about 300 species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae. Buttercups are distributed throughout the world and are especially common in woods and fields of the north temperate zone. Most buttercups have tuberous or fibrous roots. The flowers are solitary or loosely clustered and have five green sepals, five to many glossy yellow (sometimes white) petals, and numerous male and female structures (stamens and pistils).
Buttercups are commonly considered weeds, although Persian buttercups (Ranunculus asiaticus), which grow best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10, are commonly sold as nursery transplants or tubers.
While yellow Buttercups (Ranunculus spp.) plants are among the most common, there are plenty of other buttercup flowers out there, too in many shapes, sizes and colors. . In fact, there are more than 400 plants in the Ranunculus genus, according to New World Encyclopedia. Some of these are known for being poisonous when ingested in large quantities. They can also cause mild contact dermatitis, or skin irritation.
Standard-size varieties grow to about 2 feet tall, but dwarf varieties grow only 8 to 10 inches tall. Buttercup flowers are perennial plants, but they usually do not flower until the second year of growth.
Most buttercup flowers live and flower at least 10 years, although very few actually make it this long because buttercup is often considered a weed and killed by herbicides and other methods of weed removal. It grows wild in hay fields, often ignored by cows and other grazers who recognize its toxic characteristics. You can also grow buttercup flowers in your garden, but there, they will frequently stop flowering after that same 10-year period.
Buttercup flowers reproduce by both rhizomes and seeds. In the late winter and early spring, buttercup leaves explode in their growth. One plant can put on up to 50 new buttercup leaves during this period.
Types of Buttercup (Ranunculus spp.)
Common Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)
- Origin: Europe, Asia, and North America.
Characteristics:
- Upright perennial growing up to 3 feet tall.
- Glossy, yellow flowers with five overlapping petals.
- Found in meadows and grasslands; prefers moist, well-drained soils.
Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)
- Origin: Europe and Asia; naturalized worldwide.
Characteristics:
- Low-growing, spreading plant with creeping stolons.
- Small, bright yellow flowers and deeply lobed leaves.
- Thrives in wet, compacted soils; often considered invasive.
Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus)
- Origin: Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia.
Characteristics:
- Recognizable by its swollen, bulb-like base.
- Hairy stems and golden yellow flowers with reflexed sepals.
- Prefers dry meadows and pastures.
Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)
Origin: Temperate regions of Europe and Asia.
Characteristics:
- Tall and slender with finely divided leaves.
- Yellow flowers with a slight gloss, blooming in summer.
- Found in moist meadows and grassy fields.
Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)
- Origin: Europe and Asia.
Characteristics:
- Low-growing perennial with heart-shaped leaves.
- Shiny yellow flowers that bloom in early spring.
- It grows close to the ground and is often found in woodlands.
Water Crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis)
- Origin: Europe, Asia, and North America.
Characteristics:
- Aquatic species with thread-like submerged leaves and floating white flowers with yellow centers.
- Found in ponds, streams, and slow-moving waters.
Glacier Buttercup (Ranunculus glacialis)
- Origin: High-altitude regions of Europe, Greenland, and Asia.
Characteristics:
- Adapted to cold climates; grows in rocky alpine habitats.
- White or pinkish flowers with a yellow center.
- Compact growth habit to withstand harsh conditions.
Greater Spearwort (Ranunculus lingua)
- Origin: Europe and parts of Asia.
Characteristics:
- Tall, aquatic perennial with lance-shaped leaves.
- Large yellow flowers with five petals.
- Grows along the edges of wetlands and shallow waters.
Goldilocks Buttercup (Ranunculus auricomus)
- Origin: Europe and Asia.
Characteristics:
- Yellow flowers often with incomplete petals, giving a “messy” appearance.
- Grows in woodlands and shaded meadows.
- Prefers rich, moist soils.
Corn Buttercup (Ranunculus arvensis)
- Origin: Europe and Asia.
Characteristics:
- Small annual with bright yellow flowers and deeply lobed leaves.
- Found in disturbed soils like fields and roadsides.
- Recognized for its hooked seed capsules.
Bristly Buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus)
- Origin: North America.
Characteristics:
- Perennial with hairy stems and leaves.
- Yellow flowers with five shiny petals.
- Prefers moist woodlands and marshy areas.
Hairy Buttercup (Ranunculus sardous)
- Origin: Europe and naturalized worldwide.
Characteristics:
- Annual or biennial with hairy stems.
- Bright yellow flowers with deeply notched petals.
- Found in disturbed areas, fields, and roadsides.
Small-Flowered Buttercup (Ranunculus abortivus)
- Origin: North America.
Characteristics:
- Tiny yellow flowers with short petals.
- Prefers shady, moist environments like forest edges.
- Commonly seen in spring and early summer.
Snow Buttercup (Ranunculus nivalis)
- Origin: Arctic and alpine regions.
Characteristics:
- Compact plant with bright yellow flowers.
- Thrives in cold, rocky terrains and short growing seasons.
- Adapted to extreme weather conditions.
Twinflower Buttercup (Ranunculus adoneus)
- Origin: Rocky Mountain regions of North America.
Characteristics:
- Low-growing alpine species.
- Yellow flowers often blooming in pairs.
- Found in high-altitude meadows and tundras.
Yellow Water Buttercup (Ranunculus flabellaris)
- Origin: North America.
Characteristics:
- Aquatic plant with bright yellow flowers and fan-shaped leaves.
- Thrives in marshes, ponds, and shallow waters.
- Blooms in late spring and summer.
Other Types
- Ranunculus sceleratus (Curly-grass Buttercup): This species is known for its distinctive, curly grass-like leaves and yellow flowers. It grows in wet areas such as marshes and ditches.
- Ranunculus fascicularis (Tufted Buttercup): This species forms dense tufts of leaves and produces yellow flowers. It is commonly found in moist areas like meadows and wetlands.
- Ranunculus peltatus (White Water Crowfoot): An aquatic species with white flowers and rounded, peltate leaves. It is found in ponds and slow-moving streams.
- Ranunculus baudotii (Baudot’s Buttercup): A rare species with white flowers and deeply divided leaves, found in high-altitude meadows.
- Ranunculus ophioglossifolius (Adder’s-tongue Buttercup): This species has large, glossy leaves resembling adder’s tongues and produces yellow flowers. It is found in wet meadows and along stream banks.
- Ranunculus sardous (Sardinian Buttercup): A species with yellow flowers and deeply lobed leaves, found in Mediterranean regions.
- Ranunculus asiaticus (Persian Buttercup): Known for its large, showy, ruffled flowers in a variety of colors, this species is popular in gardens and floral arrangements.
- Ranunculus ficifolius (Fig-leaf Buttercup): This species has large, fig-like leaves and produces yellow flowers. It is found in wet meadows and along stream banks.