Ranunculus flammula L.
Creeping Buttercup
Lesser spearwort is a native perennial of the buttercup family, but quite unlike the familiar meadow buttercups in appearance. Instead of divided leaves it has narrow, undivided, lance- or spear-shaped foliage, which gives the plant its name.
About
Lesser spearwort is a native perennial of the buttercup family, but quite unlike the familiar meadow buttercups in appearance. Instead of divided leaves it has narrow, undivided, lance- or spear-shaped foliage, which gives the plant its name. The often reddish stems are slender and frequently root where they touch wet mud, and they carry small, glossy yellow buttercup flowers through the summer months.
It is a plant of wet places, growing at the margins of ponds, ditches, marshes, fens and slow streams, and in damp flushes and boggy grassland in full sun. Its flowers provide nectar and pollen for a range of small insects. Like other buttercups the whole plant contains an acrid, irritant sap and is poisonous, so it is left alone by grazing animals. It is a natural choice for pond-edge and wetland seed mixes rather than dry meadow situations.
Also known as
Greater Creeping Spearwort · Lesser Buttercup · Lesser Spearwort · Spearwort · Spearwort Buttercup · creeping spearwort
Synonyms
Flammula ranunculus · Ranunculus caespititius · Ranunculus declinatus · Ranunculus filiformis hispidus · Ranunculus filiformis ovalis · Ranunculus flamma · Ranunculus flammeus · Ranunculus flammeus serratus · Ranunculus flammula gracilis · Ranunculus flammula integrifolius · Ranunculus flammula minimus · Ranunculus flammula natans
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.