- Ranunculus does well in damp locations
- The leaves gave the buttercup its name
- That's why buttercups are poisonous
- Distinguish ranunculus from cinquefoil
Ranunculus or buttercup is one of the ornamental plants that are less appreciated in the garden than in meadows and along river banks. It differs from other plants that can be found in flower meadows in a number of peculiarities.
Ranunculus has a surprisingly long flowering period
Ranunculus does well in damp locations
Buttercup likes an acidic and moist soil. The roots are very robust and can even withstand short periods of waterlogging. That is why the buttercup is so common in damp meadows along rivers and at the edges of ponds.
The most common species is the common buttercup, which grows almost anywhere the soil is acidic enough.
The leaves gave the buttercup its name
The plant owes its name buttercup to its leaves:
- two or three lobed
- green
- divided or pinnate
Depending on the species, they have two or three lobes and resemble a little the foot of a rooster. The leaves can be divided or pinnate.
In some regions, especially in northern Germany, buttercups are known as buttercups. This is probably due to the shiny yellow flowers of the buttercup.
That's why buttercups are poisonous
Ranunculus contains protoanemonin in all parts of the plant. The concentration in flowers and roots is particularly high. The individual species vary in toxicity, some contain hardly any toxins.
Ranunculus should not be picked with bare hands or fought in the garden, since contact with the plant sap can trigger inflammatory reactions on the skin. Fresh buttercups should not be eaten. When dried, the poison breaks down.
Distinguish ranunculus from cinquefoil
In nature, buttercup is often confused with cinquefoil, which blooms at the same time and also produces yellow flowers.
The difference, however, can be seen in the flowers. Although both plant species usually have five petals, they differ from each other. The nectar leaves of the buttercup are very shiny and are also surrounded by five bracts. Cinquefoil flowers appear rather dull.
tips
The buttercup family includes a whole range of plants that look very different at first glance. These include, for example, marsh marigold, pasqueflower and ranunculus. The climbing plant clematis also belongs to the buttercup genus.