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Meadow Buttercup

©Lee Schofield

Meadow buttercup

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Scientific name: Ranunculus acris
Meadow buttercup is a tall and stately buttercup, with buttery-yellow flowers that pepper meadows, pastures, gardens and parks with little drops of sunshine.

Top facts

Stats

Height: up to 1m

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

April to October

About

Meadow buttercup is a widespread and common perennial in meadows and pastures, and is also found in parks, gardens and at woodland edges. It prefers slightly damper, calcareous sites, where it can grow so dense that it forms yellow meadows that dazzle in the sunshine. It flowers between April and October.

What to look for

Meadow buttercup has yellow flowers, about 2cm across, that comprise five, shiny petals. It has rounded leaves, divided into three to seven lobes, and does not possess the runners of Creeping Buttercup.

Where to find

Widespread.

Habitats

Did you know?

Meadow buttercups can become common in grazed pastures because they are poisonous to grazing animals, so are avoided; they have a chemical called protoanemonin in their sap.