<h1>Creeping Buttercup, Ranunculus repens</h1>

Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) is a herbaceous, stoloniferous perennial plant, notable for its golden yellow, glossy flowers which are usually about 2-3 cm in diameter and often have five petals.

The plant's glossiness helps attract pollinating insects and aids in the thermoregulation of its reproductive organs.

It can grow up to 50 cm tall and has both prostrate running stems that produce roots and new plants at the nodes, and more or less erect flowering stems.

Its leaves are compound and finely hairy, divided into three broad leaflets which are shallowly to deeply lobed.

This species is distinguishable from Ranunculus acris by its stalked terminal leaflet, whereas in R. acris, the terminal leaflet is sessile.

Creeping buttercup is native to Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa but has become invasive in many other parts of the world. It's commonly found in fields, pastures, and prefers wet soil. It spreads rapidly in moist, shady conditions through its rooting stolons and can form dense ground covers, often in lawns where it can survive mowing and foot traffic.

While it has been used ornamentally, it's considered invasive in many regions and can cause skin blistering upon contact with its sap.

The plant is also poisonous, although the toxins are lost when dried with hay. The name Ranunculus comes from the Latin word for "little frog," likely referring to the wet habitats where many species of this genus are found, and "repens" means creeping or stoloniferous, reflecting the plant's growth habit​​​​​​.

Unusal Facts about Creeping Buttercup

Reflective Petals: The petals are highly glossy, which is not just for visual appeal. This glossiness is actually due to the smooth upper surface of the petals acting like a mirror. This unique feature helps in attracting pollinating insects and also plays a role in the thermoregulation of the flower's reproductive organs, ensuring that the temperature is just right for pollination to occur efficiently​​.

Poisonous but Hay-Safe: While creeping buttercup is known to be poisonous, containing irritants that can cause blistering of the skin and be harmful if ingested, these toxic properties are lost when the plant is dried with hay. This means that although fresh creeping buttercup can be dangerous to livestock, once dried, it poses no such risk. This is an important consideration for farmers and those managing pastures​​.

Name Origins: The name Ranunculus comes from the Latin word for "little frog," rana. This is believed to be because many species of the Ranunculus genus, including creeping buttercup, thrive in damp habitats similar to those favored by frogs. The specific epithet repens means 'creeping' or 'stoloniferous', which describes the plant's growth habit of spreading across the ground through stolons, or runners, that root at the nodes to form new plants​​​​.

Adaptation to Foot Traffic: Creeping buttercup is capable of growing in lawns and can survive being trampled and mowed over. This resilience is partly due to the plant's ability to grow prostrate stems that can withstand foot traffic and mowing, allowing it to spread even in areas that are frequently disturbed​​.

Invasive yet Ornamental: Despite its invasive nature in many parts of the world, creeping buttercup was historically sold as an ornamental plant. Its bright yellow flowers and the ability to cover ground rapidly made it a popular choice for gardens, not foreseeing its potential to become an invasive species that could dominate and displace native flora​​.

These facts highlight the creeping buttercup's unique blend of beauty, resilience, and potential danger, making it a fascinating plant to study and understand.