Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens
Table of Contents
Creeping buttercup is easily recognised by its golden, yellow flowers. Children like to use the flowers to see if their friends like butter. If a reflection is seen whilst holding it under someone’s chin, then it is said they like the taste of butter.
Plant family: Ranunculaceae
Aliases: Creeping crowfoot
Flowering period: May – September
Flower colour: Yellow
Preferred soil type: Heavy, moist
Habitat: Grassland, hedgerows, roadside verges, turf
Status: Common
General information
Creeping buttercup is a hardy, perennial wildflower with lovely, golden, yellow flowers and the most common of the buttercups. It’s considered a major turf weed by gardeners, as it’s very difficult to control and eradicate, once its established.
It grows to a maximum height of 80cm and is most likely to be found in grassy areas, such as meadows, verges, hedgerows and turf. It prefers heavy, moist soils and a large presence of creeping buttercups is often an indicator that a site is suffering from poor drainage.
It spreads aggressively via over ground runners known as stolons and has a deep fibrous root system.
The flowers were once used by children to see if another person likes the taste of butter. Whilst holding the flower underneath the chin of another, if a reflection is seen, then this indicates that they like butter.
Identification
Flowers: The glossy, golden yellow flowers are typical of most buttercups. They are borne singularly or in clusters and measure up to 25 – 30mm across, with each flower having 5 or 6 petals. The flowering season is between May and September.
Leaves: The leaves are dark green, can be smooth or covered in very fine hairs, occasionally covered with pale or dark flecks. The basal leaves have three leaflets, with each leaflet being deeply cut or lobed. They measure between 15mm – 60mm in length.
Value for wildlife
This plant attracts bees, butterflies and hoverflies which visit to feed on the pollen and nectar. The sap of creeping buttercup is known to be toxic to cattle.
Uses for creeping buttercup
This plant has medicinal uses, however, with the plant containing toxins, it is important that the plant is prepared correctly to avoid illness. The leaves and flowers have been crushed to treat headache, with the roots being used to treat diarrhea.
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