It is not for nothing that hot ranunculus is extremely unpopular among farmers and gardeners. The plant is poisonous and tends to spread widely. As a result, it displaces lawns and important forage plants. Cultivated varieties can also be cultivated in the garden. A personal description.

The common buttercup is a pretty but unpopular poisonous plant

Hot buttercup - a wanted poster

  • Botanical name: Ranunculus acris
  • popular names: buttercup, houndstooth
  • Family: Buttercup family - Ranunculaceae
  • Plant form: perennial
  • Occurrence: Meadows, fields, compacted soils
  • Height: 30 to 100 cm
  • Leaves: basal, long-stalked, three main segments
  • Flower: up to 2 cm in diameter
  • Flower color: golden yellow
  • Flowering period: May to September
  • Propagation: generative (exclusively via seeds)
  • Hardiness: fully hardy
  • Toxicity: Toxic in all parts

Growing hot ranunculus in the garden

While the common buttercup is feared as a poisonous weed in fields and pastures, there are also some varieties that are suitable for garden care.

The "multiplex" variety, for example, produces very beautiful double flowers, which provide golden yellow color effects during the flowering period from April to June.

Spread is not to be feared as the flowers of cultivated buttercups are sterile. Propagation can be done by dividing the perennials.

Caring for hot ranunculus in the garden

Hot ranunculus prefers sunny to partially shaded locations in the flower border. The perennial can also be grown in a bucket.

A loamy garden soil that is not too dry is sufficient as a substrate. In general, hot ranunculus prefers it moist to dry.

Just like the wild representative of this species, the common ranunculus requires little maintenance. Watering is only necessary in very dry summers. You can also do without fertilizing, since the plant gets by with very few nutrients.

Spicy buttercup is poisonous

Hot ranunculus, whether wild or cultivated members of the family, is poisonous in all parts. Even the sap that escapes when cutting can cause skin irritation. Gloves should therefore always be worn when caring for the plant.

If the plant is accidentally eaten, symptoms of poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea and increased heart rate become noticeable.

Children should be encouraged not to pick these flowers.

tips

Fighting buttercups is not easy. Infested meadows and lawns must be mowed early so that no flowers and thus no seeds can form.

Category:

Herbs