Water Crowfoot, White water crowfoot

Ranunculus aquatilis

Physical Characteristics

Ranunculus aquatilis is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, bees. 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.

Distribution

Most of Europe, including Britain.

Habitats

Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: The entire plant has been boiled and eaten[257]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Antiasthmatic Antirheumatic Febrifuge The sub-species R. aquatilis capillaceus is used is used in India in the treatment of intermittent fevers, rheumatism and asthma[240].

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].