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Buttercup Family Ranunculaceae

Stinking Hellebore

Stinking Hellebore Helleborus foetidus HEIGHT to 75cm

Robust, strong-smelling perennial of woodland on calcareous soils. FLOWERS Green with purple margins, 15–30mm across, bell-shaped; in clusters (Jan–May). FRUITS Dry, many-seeded and splitting. LEAVES Divided into toothed lobes; lower ones persist through winter. STATUS Local and restricted to central and S England and Wales.

Burbidge, Brinsley

Green Hellebore

Green Hellebore Helleborus viridis HEIGHT to 60cm

Scentless perennial of woodland on calcareous soils. FLOWERS Green (including the margins) with pointed sepals but no petals; in clusters (Feb–Apr). FRUITS Dry, many-seeded and splitting. LEAVES Divided into bright green, elongate lobes; not evergreen. STATUS Local and scarce, in central and S England and Wales.

Winter Aconite

Winter Aconite Eranthis hyemalis HEIGHT to 10cm

Attractive perennial that sometimes forms carpets on woodland floors. FLOWERS 12–15mm across, with 6 yellow sepals; on upright stems, above the leaves (Jan–Apr). FRUITS Dry, many-seeded and splitting. LEAVES Spreading (3 per stem) and each divided into 3 lobes. STATUS Introduced but widely naturalised.

Love-in-a-mist

Love-in-a-mist Nigella damascena HEIGHT to 40cm

Upright, hairless annual, associated with disturbed ground and roadside verges. FLOWERS Comprising 5 petal-like blue sepals; solitary and terminal (June–July). FRUITS Inflated capsules. LEAVES Divided into narrow segments and arranged as a ruff below the flowers. STATUS Widely cultivated and sometimes naturalised briefly.

Marsh-marigold

Marsh-marigold Caltha palustris HEIGHT to 25cm

Widespread perennial with stout, hollow stems. Found in damp woodland, marshes and wet meadows. FLOWERS Yellow, 25–30mm across, with 5 petal-like sepals but no petals (Mar–July). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Kidney-shaped, shiny, up to 10cm across. STATUS Widespread and locally common, but range is contracting.

Globeflower

Globeflower Trollius europaeus HEIGHT to 60cm

Attractive perennial of damp, upland and northern meadows. FLOWERS Spherical, 30–40mm across, with 10–15 yellow sepals; on long, upright stems (May–Aug). FRUITS Many-seeded, dry. LEAVES Palmately divided into toothed lobes. STATUS Absent from the south but very locally common from N Wales to Scotland, also NW Ireland.

Weston, Andrew

Baneberry

Baneberry Actaea spicata HEIGHT to 70cm

Robust and hairless perennial of woodland (typically Ash) on limestone, and limestone pavements. FLOWERS White and feathery with 4–6 petals; in spikes (May–June). FRUITS Berries, green at first but ripening black. LEAVES Pinnately divided into toothed lobes. STATUS Local, restricted to N England.

Monk’s-hood

Monk’s-hood Aconitum napellus HEIGHT to 1m

Dark green, almost hairless perennial of damp woodland, often beside streams. FLOWERS Bluish violet, 20mm across, helmeted; in upright spikes (May–Aug). FRUITS Dry, many-seeded. LEAVES Deeply divided into palmate lobes. STATUS Local, mainly in the south and south-west. Beware confusion with naturalised garden Aconitum species.

Larkspur

Larkspur Consolida ajacis HEIGHT to 30cm

Downy annual that is occasionally found in arable field margins. FLOWERS Bluish, comprising 5 petal-like sepals and a long, backward-pointing spur; in loose spikes (June–Aug). FRUITS Dry, many-seeded. LEAVES Deeply divided into palmate lobes. STATUS Introduced (often grown in gardens) and occasional.

Pheasant’s-eye

Pheasant’s-eye Adonis annua HEIGHT to 40cm

Branched, hairless annual of arable fields on chalky soils. FLOWERS Comprising 5–8 bright red petals that are blackish at the base (June–Aug). FRUITS Long-stalked, elongate, wrinkled. LEAVES Pinnately divided and feathery, upper ones partly shrouding flowers. STATUS Rare and decreasing because of agricultural herbicides.

Mousetail

Mousetail Myosurus minimus HEIGHT to 10cm

Tufted, inconspicuous annual of arable field margins, often on sandy soil. FLOWERS Long-stalked, 5mm across, with yellowish-green petals and sepals (Mar–July). FRUITS Elongate, plantain-like (see pp), to 7cm long. LEAVES Narrow, grass-like. STATUS Scarce and declining, mainly in S England.

Meadow Buttercup

Fruit

Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris HEIGHT to 1m

Downy perennial of damp grassland habitats. FLOWERS 18–25mm across, comprising 5 shiny, yellow petals with upright sepals; on long, unfurrowed stalks (Apr–Oct). FRUITS Hook-tipped, in a rounded head. LEAVES Rounded outline, but divided into 3–7 lobes; upper ones unstalked. STATUS Widespread and abundant throughout.

Creeping Buttercup

Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens HEIGHT to 50cm

Often unwelcome perennial of lawns and other grassy places. Long, rooting runners aid its spread. FLOWERS 20–30mm across, with 5 yellow petals and upright sepals; on furrowed stalks (May–Aug). FRUITS In rounded heads. LEAVES Hairy; divided into 3 lobes; middle lobe is stalked. STATUS Widespread and common.

Bulbous Buttercup

Fruit

Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus HEIGHT to 40cm

Hairy perennial of dry grassland, including chalk downs. Note the swollen stem base. FLOWERS 20–30mm across with 5 bright yellow petals and reflexed sepals; on furrowed stalks (Mar–July). FRUITS Smooth. LEAVES Divided into 3 lobes, each of which is stalked. STATUS Wide-spread and often abundant.

Hairy Buttercup

Fruit

Hairy Buttercup Ranunculus sardous HEIGHT to 40cm

Hairy annual of grassy places, especially near the coast. FLOWERS 15–25mm across with 5 pale yellow petals and reflexed sepals (May–Oct). FRUITS With a green border, inside which they are adorned with warts. LEAVES Divided into 3 lobes; mainly basal. STATUS Local, mainly in the south and in coastal habitats.

Corn Buttercup

Corn Buttercup Ranunculus arvensis HEIGHT to 40cm

Downy annual of arable fields. FLOWERS 10–12mm across with 5 pale lemon-yellow petals (May–July). FRUITS Distinctly spiny and bur-like. LEAVES Divided into narrow lobes. STATUS Formerly widespread but now scarce, local and declining because of agricultural herbicide use; regular only in S England.

Goldilocks Buttercup

Imperfect flower

Goldilocks Buttercup Ranunculus auricomus HEIGHT to 30cm

Slightly hairy perennial of damp, undisturbed woodland. FLOWERS 15–25mm across with yellow petals, 1 or more of which is sometimes imperfect or absent (Apr–May). FRUITS Roughly hairy. LEAVES Rounded, 3-lobed basal leaves, narrowly lobed stem leaves. STATUS Widespread but local and declining.

Small-flowered Buttercup

Small-flowered Buttercup Ranunculus parviflorus HEIGHT to 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). FRUITS Roughly hairy. LEAVES Rounded and lobed (basal leaves); stem leaves narrowly lobed. STATUS Local in S England and S Wales.

See also Scilly Buttercup and Jersey Buttercup

Greater Spearwort

Lesser Spearwort

Greater Spearwort

Greater Spearwort Ranunculus lingua HEIGHT to 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). FRUITS Rough, winged, with a curved beak. LEAVES Narrow, 25cm long, sometimes toothed. STATUS Widespread but local.

Lesser Spearwort

Flower

Lesser Spearwort Ranunculus flammula HEIGHT to 50cm

Upright or creeping perennial. Often roots where leaf nodes touch the ground. Favours damp ground, often beside rivers. FLOWERS 5–15mm across, usually solitary; on furrowed stalks (June–Oct). FRUITS Beaked but not winged. LEAVES Oval basal leaves; stem leaves narrow. STATUS Widespread, commonest in the north.

Celery-leaved Buttercup

Celery-leaved Buttercup Ranunculus sceleratus HEIGHT to 50cm

Yellowish-green annual with hollow stems. Favours marshes and wet grazing meadows, often on trampled ground. FLOWERS 5–10mm across with pale yellow petals; in clusters (May–Sep). FRUITS With elongated heads. LEAVES Celery-like, divided into 3 lobes (basal leaves); stem leaves less divided. STATUS Locally common in the south.

Lesser Celandine

Weston, Andrew

Lesser Celandine

Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria HEIGHT to 25cm

Perennial of hedgerows and open woodland; sometimes forms patches. FLOWERS 20–30mm across with 8–12 shiny yellow petals and 3 sepals (Mar–May); opening only in sunshine. FRUITS In a rounded head. LEAVES Heart-shaped, glossy, dark green. STATUS Common.

Common Water-crowfoot

Common Water-crowfoot Ranunculus aquatilis FLOATING

Annual or perennial found in both slow-flowing and still waters. FLOWERS 12–20mm across with 5 white petals (Apr–Aug). FRUITS In rounded heads. LEAVES Thread-like submerged leaves and floating ones that are entire but with toothed lobes. STATUS Widespread and common.

Stream Water-crowfoot

Stream Water-crowfoot Ranunculus pencillatus FLOATING

Annual or perennial of fast-flowing chalk streams and rivers. FLOWERS 15–25mm across with 5 white petals (May–July). FRUITS In rounded heads. LEAVES Lobed, rounded floating leaves and long, thread-like submerged ones that collapse out of water. STATUS Locally common, but mainly in the south.

Ivy-leaved Crowfoot

Ivy-leaved Crowfoot Ranunculus hederaceus CREEPING

Creeping annual or biennial, associated with bare muddy places close to water. FLOWERS 3–6mm across with 5 white petals, and sepals of similar length (May–Aug). FRUITS In rounded heads. LEAVES Vaguely ivy-like, being rounded or kidney-shaped with lobed margins. STATUS Widespread but local.

Cleave, Andrew

Pond Water-crowfoot

Pond Water-crowfoot Ranunculus peltatus FLOATING

Annual or perennial of ponds, lakes and other areas of still water. FLOWERS 15–30mm across with 5 white petals (May–Aug). FRUITS In rounded, long-stalked heads. LEAVES Lobed, rounded floating leaves and short, rigid, thread-like submerged ones. STATUS Widespread and common throughout.

Brackish Water-crowfoot

Brackish Water-crowfoot Ranunculus baudotii FLOATING

Annual or perennial of brackish pools, ditches and channels near the coast. FLOWERS 12–18mm across with 5 white petals (Apr–Aug). FRUITS In rounded, long-stalked heads. LEAVES Deeply lobed floating leaves and thread-like submerged ones that do not collapse out of water. STATUS Local around the coast.

Cleave, Andrew

Round-leaved Crowfoot

Round-leaved Crowfoot Ranunculus omiophyllus FLOATING

Creeping annual or biennial. Favours damp, muddy places, often water seepages. FLOWERS 8–12mm across, with 5 white petals twice as long as sepals (May–Aug). FRUITS In rounded heads. LEAVES Lobed and rounded. STATUS Rather local and restricted mainly to S and W England and Wales, and S Ireland.

Burbidge, Brinsley

River Water-crowfoot

River Water-crowfoot Ranunculus fluitans FLOATING

Robust perennial. Forms extensive carpets in suitable fast-flowing streams and rivers. FLOWERS 20–30mm across with 5 white, overlapping petals (May–Aug). FRUITS In rounded heads. LEAVES Divided into narrow, thread-like segments; submerged leaves only. STATUS Widespread in England but scarce elsewhere.

Columbine

Columbine Aquilegia vulgaris HEIGHT to 1m

Familiar garden perennial but also a native plant, favouring open woods on calcareous soils. FLOWERS Nodding, purple, 30–40mm long, the petals with hook-tipped spurs (May–July). FRUITS Dry, many seeded. LEAVES Grey-green and comprising 3-lobed leaflets. STATUS Widespread but extremely local as a native species.

Wood Anemone

Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa HEIGHT to 30cm

Perennial that sometimes forms large carpets on suitable woodland floors. FLOWERS Solitary, comprising 5–10 white or pinkish petal-like sepals (Mar–May). FRUITS Beaked, in rounded clusters. LEAVES On stems, long-stalked and divided into 3 lobes, each being further divided. STATUS Widespread and locally common.

Pasqueflower

Pasqueflower Pulsatilla vulgaris HEIGHT to 25cm

Silkily-hairy perennial of dry, calcareous grassland. FLOWERS Purple, bell-shaped with 6 petal-like sepals; upright at first, then nodding (Apr–May). FRUITS Comprising seeds with long silky hairs. LEAVES Divided 2 or 3 times and comprising narrow leaflets. STATUS Rare and restricted to a few sites in S and E England.

Traveller’s-joy

Flowers

Fruits

Traveller’s-joy Clematis vitalba LENGTH to 20m

Scrambling hedgerow perennial of chalky soils. FLOWERS Creamy, with prominent stamens; in clusters (July–Aug). FRUITS Comprising clusters of seeds with woolly, whitish plumes, hence plant’s alternative name of Old Man’s Beard. LEAVES Divided into 3–5 leaflets. STATUS Locally common in central and S England, and Wales.

Common Meadow-rue

Common Meadow-rue Thalictrum flavum HEIGHT to 1m

Upright perennial of damp meadows, ditches and fens; favours basic soils. FLOWERS With small petals that drop, but showy, yellow anthers; in dense clusters (June–Aug). FRUITS Dry, papery. LEAVES Fern-like and pinnately divided 2 or 3 times into toothed lobes. STATUS Widespread but local, common only in the south and east.

Lesser Meadow-rue

Lesser Meadow-rue Thalictrum minus HEIGHT to 1m

Variable, often short perennial of dunes, dry grassland and rocky slopes; mainly on basic soils. FLOWERS Yellowish, tinged purple, with prominent dangling stamens; in open clusters, flowers drooping at first then erect (June–Aug). FRUITS Dry, papery. LEAVES Pinnately divided 3 or 4 times. STATUS Widespread but local.

Alpine Meadow-rue

Alpine Meadow-rue Thalictrum alpinum HEIGHT to 15cm

Short, easily overlooked perennial of upland grassland and mountain ledges. FLOWERS With purplish sepals and stamens and yellow anthers; in terminal clusters on slender stems (May–July). FRUITS Dry, papery. LEAVES Twice trifoliate with dark green, rounded leaflets. STATUS Local from N Wales to Scotland; scarce in W Ireland.

British Wild Flowers: A photographic guide to every common species

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