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Meadow Buttercup

Ranunculus acris

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameMeadow Buttercup

DescriptionCommon wildflower with bright golden-yellow cup-shaped blooms featuring glossy, reflective petals that seem to glow in sunlight. Deeply divided leaves grow on slender hairy stems in meadows and pastures. Despite its cheerful appearance, all parts are toxic to livestock and humans, containing caustic compounds that cause blistering. A familiar sight in European meadows, now naturalized worldwide. Children traditionally hold buttercups under chins to see if they 'like butter' based on the yellow reflection.

FamilyRanunculaceae

GenusRanunculus

TribeRanunculeae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K5 C5 A∞ G∞

Ebracteate, radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, 5 free sepals (often reflexed), 5 free glossy petals with nectary at base, numerous free stamens arranged spirally, numerous free carpels (apocarpous) forming head of achenes, superior ovaries. Typical Ranunculaceae structure

Features

Name 'Buttercup' from bright yellow cup-shaped petals. 'Acris' means sharp or acrid, referring to caustic sap. Folklore says holding flower under chin shows yellow reflection if you like butter. About 600 Ranunculus species worldwide. Contains ranunculin that converts to toxic protoanemonin when plant is damaged
Flowers 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) across with 5 glossy, shiny yellow petals that reflect light. Petals have waxy coating creating mirror-like shine. Yellow center with numerous stamens. Blooms late spring through summer (May-September). Each flower lasts 5-7 days. Grows in clusters on branching stems
Herbaceous perennial with erect, hairy stems. Basal leaves deeply divided into 3-7 lobes with toothed edges. Dark green, glossy foliage. Fibrous root system. Dies back in winter, regrows from roots in spring. Spreads by seeds and creeping roots. Can form dense colonies in favorable conditions
Grows 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall with 1-2 foot spread. Lifespan of 5+ years as perennial. Propagated from seed or root division. Seeds germinate in 14-21 days. Self-sows readily. Fast-growing once established. Can become weedy in lawns and pastures
Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Now naturalized throughout North America, Australia, New Zealand, and temperate regions worldwide. Found in meadows, pastures, roadsides, ditches, wet grasslands. Thrives in moist, fertile soils. Common from lowlands to mountains
Requires full sun to partial shade (6+ hours sun preferred). Prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Tolerates wet conditions better than drought. Hardy zones 3-7. Considered invasive weed in some regions. Difficult to eradicate once established due to persistent roots
TOXIC to humans and livestock - causes mouth blistering, stomach pain, diarrhea if ingested. Toxic to horses, cattle, sheep, goats. Acrid taste usually prevents animals from eating fresh plants. Toxicity decreases when dried in hay. Sap causes skin irritation and blisters on contact. No medicinal or culinary uses due to toxicity
Important early nectar source for bees, flies, and beetles. Attracts pollinators in spring. Avoided by grazing animals due to toxicity. Common in children's folklore and games. Symbolizes childishness and ingratitude in Victorian flower language. Indicator of moist, fertile meadows. Considered noxious weed in pastures

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificRanunculus acris

English (Alternate)Tall Buttercup, Giant Buttercup, Common Buttercup, Meadow Crowfoot, Blister Plant

Hindiबटरकप (Buttercup), नवनीत पुष्प (Navneet Pushp), पीला फूल (Peela Phool)

Tamilஅம்மஞ்சள் மலர் (Ammanjal Malar), பட்டர்கப் பூ (Buttercup Poo), மஞ்சள் பூ (Manjal Poo)

Teluguపసుపు పువ్వు (Pasupu Puvvu), బటర్‌కప్ (Buttercup)

Malayalamബട്ടർകപ്പ് (Buttercup), മഞ്ഞപ്പൂവ് (Manjappuvu)

Kannadaಬಟರ್‌ಕಪ್ (Buttercup), ಹಳದಿ ಹೂವು (Haladi Hoovu)

Sanskritमधूलिका (Madhulika), नवनीतचष (Navanītachash), स्वर्णपुष्प (Svarnapushpa)

Bengaliবাটারকাপ (Buttercup), হলুদ ফুল (Holud Phul)

FrenchRenoncule âcre, Bouton-d'or, Pied-de-coq

RussianЛютик едкий (Lyutik edkiy), Куриная слепота (Kurinaya slepota)

SpanishRanúnculo, Botón de oro, Francesilla

GermanScharfer Hahnenfuß, Butterblume, Scharfer Butterblume

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.