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Creeping Buttercup

©Mark Hamblin/2020VISION

Creeping buttercup

Creeping buttercup is our most familiar buttercup - the buttery-yellow flowers are like little drops of sunshine peppering garden lawns, parks, woods and fields.

Scientific name

Ranunculus repens

When to see

May to August

Species information

Statistics

Height: up to 50cm
Common.

About

Creeping buttercup is the common buttercup found in damp places on grassland, along woodland and field edges, and in parks and gardens. It flowers mainly between May and August, its long, rooting runners helping it to spread across lawns - much to the dissatisfaction of some gardeners! Yet, this golden-cupped flower is a childhood favourite: if a yellow reflection appears when it is held up to the chin, it is considered as a sign that the person likes butter.

How to identify

Creeping buttercup can be distinguished from the other buttercups by the spreading way it grows with runners. Its yellow flowers are about 2cm across and its hairy leaves are divided into three lobes with frayed edges.

Distribution

Widespread.

Did you know?

Creeping buttercup is pollinated by short-tongued bees attracted by the nectar and pollen. They are able to reach the food with their tongue because the flower is open with a flat shape. Long-tongued bees can feed from long, deep flowers like Foxgloves.