Paul Sterry - British Wild Flowers - A photographic guide to every common species

Goldilocks Buttercup

Imperfect flower

Goldilocks Buttercup Ranunculus auricomus HEIGHTto 30cm

Slightly hairy perennial of damp, undisturbed woodland. FLOWERS15–25mm across with yellow petals, 1 or more of which is sometimes imperfect or absent (Apr–May). FRUITSRoughly hairy. LEAVESRounded, 3-lobed basal leaves, narrowly lobed stem leaves . STATUSWidespread but local and declining.

Small-flowered Buttercup

Small-flowered Buttercup Ranunculus parviflorus HEIGHTto 30cm

Sprawling, hairy annual of dry, bare ground, often on sandy soils. FLOWERS 3–5mm across with pale yellow petals ; on furrowed stalks, often arising from the fork of a branch (May–July). FRUITSRoughly hairy. LEAVESRounded and lobed (basal leaves); stem leaves narrowly lobed. STATUSLocal in S England and S Wales.

See also Scilly Buttercupand Jersey Buttercup

Greater Spearwort

Lesser Spearwort

Greater Spearwort

Greater Spearwort Ranunculus lingua HEIGHTto 1m

Robust, upright perennial of fens and the shallow margins of ponds and lakes. Plant has long runners. FLOWERS 20–40mm across with 5 yellow petals; on furrowed stalks (June–Sep). FRUITSRough, winged, with a curved beak. LEAVESNarrow, 25cm long, sometimes toothed. STATUSWidespread but local.

Lesser Spearwort

Flower

Lesser Spearwort Ranunculus flammula HEIGHTto 50cm

Upright or creeping perennial. Often roots where leaf nodes touch the ground. Favours damp ground, often beside rivers. FLOWERS5–15mm across, usually solitary; on furrowed stalks (June–Oct). FRUITSBeaked but not winged. LEAVESOval basal leaves; stem leaves narrow. STATUSWidespread, commonest in the north.

Celery-leaved Buttercup

Celery-leaved Buttercup

Celery-leaved Buttercup Ranunculus sceleratus HEIGHTto 50cm

Yellowish-green annual with hollow stems. Favours marshes and wet grazing meadows, often on trampled ground. FLOWERS5–10mm across with pale yellow petals; in clusters (May–Sep). FRUITSWith elongated heads. LEAVES Celery-like , divided into 3 lobes (basal leaves); stem leaves less divided. STATUSLocally common in the south.

Lesser Celandine

Weston, Andrew

Lesser Celandine

Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria HEIGHTto 25cm

Perennial of hedgerows and open woodland; sometimes forms patches. FLOWERS20–30mm across with 8–12 shiny yellow petals and 3 sepals (Mar–May); opening only in sunshine. FRUITSIn a rounded head. LEAVES Heart-shaped, glossy, dark green. STATUSCommon.

Common Water-crowfoot

Common Water-crowfoot Ranunculus aquatilis FLOATING

Annual or perennial found in both slow-flowing and still waters. FLOWERS12–20mm across with 5 white petals (Apr–Aug). FRUITSIn rounded heads. LEAVES Thread-like submerged leaves and floating ones that are entire but with toothed lobes . STATUSWidespread and common.

Stream Water-crowfoot

Stream Water-crowfoot Ranunculus pencillatus FLOATING

Annual or perennial of fast-flowing chalk streams and rivers. FLOWERS15–25mm across with 5 white petals (May–July). FRUITSIn rounded heads. LEAVES Lobed, rounded floating leaves and long, thread-like submerged ones that collapse out of water . STATUSLocally common, but mainly in the south.

Ivy-leaved Crowfoot