Seasonal Wild Flowers

Celery-leaved Buttercup

Ranunculus sceleratus

Ranunculaceae

May to September

It is found throughout the country except for the far North

and far Southwest.

See the BSBI distribution map for Celery-leaved Buttercup

It grows on damp, nutrient-rich mud, grazed saltmarshes

and in shallow freshwaters polluted by grazing cattle.

According to the New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora

(Preston et al. 2002), its seeds survive for long periods

and re-appear after disturbance.

The pictures shown here were taken after an earth dyke

was built beside the Lune estuary in 2006, using soil dug

from deep holes in nearby fields. The celery-leaved

buttercup grew on the dyke for the first time in years

during 2007, covering large areas.

A year later, 2008, there was no sign of it.

Celery-leaved Buttercup is a native, annual herb growing

up to 60cm.

The flowers and fruits are distinctive.

The flowers have small, pale-yellow petals and the ovules

are in a bulbous head.

The leaves are celery-like and pale green.

The stems are robust and hollow, giving the plant a

bushy appearance.

Celery-leaved Buttercup en masse

Flower and young fruits

Close-up of flower with stamens

Leaves