Ranunculus fluitans - Water-crowfoot
There are several common species of
ranunculus commonly found in Welsh rivers and lakes. River water-crowfoot is the common
name of the species most frequently seen in rivers, but several others, including floating
ranunculus and ivy-leaved crowfoot occur in some parts.
Above the surface, the leaves of Ranunculus fluitans are very similar to
those of other members of the buttercup family, while the submerged leaves are finely
divided: characteristic of a truly amphibious plant.
The flowers are at their best from mid-May until the end of June,
and on sunny days their bobbing heads contracting with the blue sky reflected in the water
surface make a wonderful picture.
Slow to moderate paced lowland river reaches of shallow depth,
especially where the river bed contains limestone, are places where this lovely water
plant is most plentiful. The Brynhawc beat
of Llandysul A A's fishing on the River Teifi is a noted beauty spot because of the
abundance of ranunculus there.
Ranunculus provides essential in-stream habitat for freshwater
shrimps, snails, insect larvae and nymphs. In stream grazing by cattle can rapidly destroy
these delicate submerged weedbeds, and so buffer zoning, by means of stock-proof fencing,
is a good way of protecting not only the bankside and marginal plants but also
in-stream
weeds such as water crowfoot.
Wildflowers of Wales
This wildflower is one of many dozens that are featured in the First Nature Guide to the
Wonderful Wildflowers of Wales, Volume 4 - Watersides and Wetlands.
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