Ranunculus lingua - Greater Spearwort - (Ranunculaceae)

This lovely wildflower is widespread but localised in the UK and Ireland, particularly in the southern regions.

Greater Spearwort

The very large flowers and stout stems of this member of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) identify this wonderful wetland wildflower, one of the largest of our native buttercups. It is far less widely spread than the Lesser Spearwort and generally prefers wetter habitats such as fens and pond margins. One of the reasons for its decline in recent years is the loss of its habitat as a result of drainage of land to make way for more intensive agriculture.

This specimen was photographed in Wales in June.