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Ranunculus sceleratus - L.

Common Name Celery-Leaved Buttercup, Cursed buttercup
Family Ranunculaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards All parts of the plant are poisonous when fresh, the toxins are destroyed by heat or by drying[4, 10, 19, 21, 65]. The plant also has a strongly acrid juice that can cause blistering to the skin[65, 183].
Habitats In and by slow streams, ditches and shallow ponds of mineral rich water and muddy bottoms, avoiding acid soils[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, mainly in northern and central areas..
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Wet Soil Water Plants Semi-shade Full sun
Ranunculus sceleratus Celery-Leaved Buttercup, Cursed buttercup


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Ranunculus sceleratus Celery-Leaved Buttercup, Cursed buttercup
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:JoJan

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Ranunculus sceleratus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
It is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Young plant cooked[2, 105]. It is said to be not unwholesome if the plant is boiled and the water thrown away[4] and then the plant cooked again[272]. Caution is strongly advised, see the notes above on toxicity and below on medicinal uses.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Acrid  Anodyne  Antirheumatic  Antispasmodic  Diaphoretic  Emmenagogue  Rubefacient

The celery-leafed buttercup is one of the most virulent of our native plants[4]. The whole plant is acrid, anodyne, antispasmodic, diaphoretic and emmenagogue and rubefacient[21, 240]. When bruised and applied to the skin it raises a blister and creates a sore that is by no means easy to heal. If chewed it inflames the tongue and produces violent effects[4]. The herb should be used fresh since it loses its effects when dried[21]. The leaves and the root are used externally as an antirheumatic[218]. The seed is tonic and is used in the treatment of colds, general debility, rheumatism and spermatorrhoea[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fungicide

An extract of the leaves can be used as a fungicide[65].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant of boggy soils and shallow water, it prefers a loamy soil and a sunny position. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. This plant is unlikely to need much assistance. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Ranunculus reptansCreeping SpearwortPerennial0.2 - FLMHSNMWe10 
Ranunculus rivularis Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

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Subject : Ranunculus sceleratus  
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