Ranunculaceae: the Buttercup Family
Clematis enthusiasts have discovered the beauty of a flowering fence or garden wall. Those of us new to the fun of Clematis cultivation discover that they are buttercups!
Epsom & Ewell Flower Finder
Ranunculaceae: the Buttercup Family
Buttercups contain a toxin that is an irritant to the gastrointestinal tract of horses, cats, and dogs. Please don't pull up your Ranunculaceae! Your pets are more sensible than you think and are not about to eat these for fun; they are extremely bitter, unlike lawn, which is sweet and a preferred vegetable accompaniment for dogs and mogs.
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Ficaria verna
Lesser Celandine, Pilewort.
Glossy, patterned leaves. Rooting from stems at ground level, forming bulbs. The Greater Celandine is NOT related; it is a poppy.
About
Stems rather like strawberry runners and bulb clusters help this plant to spread throughout our borough. A word to lawn enthusiasts: pulling it up by hand is not advisable without gloves as it can irritate the skin.
An ancient "cure" for piles but I would not recommend it! Instead, take it as it is - a wonderful early flower for bees. The beautiful carpet of yellow in woodland from February to May disappears on a dull day as the flowers close up, magically reappearing in sunshine.
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Ranunculus acris
Meadow Buttercup, Tall Buttercup.
Hairy, smooth branched stem bearing flowers. Plant up to 0.7 metres high.
About
I grow this is my garden alongside ornamental grasses and other wildflowers and cut them for the house. Despite a degree of toxicity, the leaves are cooked and enjoyed by First Nation peoples in the USA and Canada. They also exploit its medicinal properties.
Birds and small mammals enjoy the seed heads. Common in fields around the borough. It is a lovely garden plant as it doesn't put out runners like the Creeping Buttercup. Popular with pollinating insects.
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SURREY'S WILDFLOWERING PROJECT is a community-led initiative, aiming to build a partnership that enables wildflowering in the county as well as promoting and celebrating the boroughs/districts diverse environments. Do take the time to find out more about the project and if you can get involved, even in a small way, you will make a difference.
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