Ranunculus auricomus - Goldilocks Buttercup

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Ranunculales - Family: Ranunculaceae

Buttercups of various kinds are among the best known of wildflowers in Britain and Ireland. Children find out whether a playmate likes butter by holding a buttercup flower under their chin; if the golden yellow is reflected on the skin, the answer is 'Yes!' (It always is, of course!) But very few people we meet seem to have even heard of the Goldilocks Buttercup, and maybe that's because they look very much like rather poor examples of other common buttercup species.

Description

Goldilocks Buttercup, a hairy perennial, usually grows to a height of 20 to 30cm (exceptionally to 40cm). Its five-petalled flowers, 15 to 25mm across, are borne singly on stems that are covered sparsely with short hairs. The golden-yellow flowers are often (but by no means always) deformed, with one or more petals either shortened or missing altogether. Flowers, which are backed by either spreading or erect green sepals, have numerous stamens.

Basal leaves of Ranunculus auricomus are kidney-shaped with between three and five lobes, while the upper stem leaves are deeply divided into between three and six narrow segments.

Distribution

Widespread and common throughout Britain, Ireland and most of northern and central mainland Europe, Ranunculus auricomus is also native to parts of asia.This species has been introduced to parts of North America as well as Australia and New Zealand.

Habitat

This is a buttercup of alkaline woodlands and woodland edges, but Goldilocks Buttercups can also produce impressive displays on grassy roadside verges and sometimes in meadows.

Flowering Times

Ranunculus auricomus blooms in Britain and Ireland from April until October and is generally at its best in May and June.

Etymology

The genus name Ranunculus comes from the Latin rana, meaning frog, while the suffix -culus indicates the diminutive form - hence Ranunculus means 'little frog'. The most likely explanation is that both frogs and Ranunculus wildflower species are usually found in damp places. The specific epithet auricomus means 'having golden head hair'

Similar Species

There are many other buttercup species. Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens is often found in lawns and gardens, while the Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris is most often a wayside and farmland species.

The pictures of Goldilocks Buttercup shown on this page were taken in Crete during May.

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