Buttercup, Pallas' buttercup

Ranunculus pallasii

Physical Characteristics

Ranunculus pallasii is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. 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.

Distribution

Northern N. America through northern Asia to northern Europe.

Habitats

Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Shoots Edible Uses: Root - cooked[46, 61]. Best harvested before the leaves are produced otherwise it becomes bitter[257]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young shoots and stems - cooked[257]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

Although no specific record of toxicity has been found for this plant, many if not all members of this genus are poisonous. These toxins can be destroyed by heat or by drying[4, 10, 13, 19, 62, 65]. Many if not all plants in this genus also have a strongly acrid juice that can cause blistering to the skin[65, 183].