Persian Buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus)

March 5, 2008 — Vasant M. Salian

Persian Buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus) is a species of buttercup (Ranunculus) native to the eastern Mediterranean region in south-western Asia, south-eastern Europe (Crete), and north-eastern Africa. It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 45 cm tall, with simple or branched stems. The basal leaves are three-lobed, with leaves higher on the stems more deeply divided; like the stems, they are downy or hairy. The flowers are 3–5 cm diameter, variably red to pink, yellow, or white, with one to several flowers on each stem.

It is a popular ornamental plant in gardens, and widely used in floristry. Numerous cultivars have been selected, including ‘Bloomingdale’, ‘Picotee’, ‘Pot Dwarf’, and ‘Superbissima’.

Persian Buttercup (Image Courtesy of hokus_pokus_pas)Taxonomy:

Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Ranunculales
Family : Ranunculaceae
Genus : Ranunculus
Species : Ranunculus asiaticus

Pronunciation/Meaning:

  • Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ay) - The Ranunculus (buttercup) family.
  • Ranunculus (ra-NUN-ku-lus) - Little frog, referring to the species growing in marshes and bogs.
  • asiaticus (a-see-AT-ee-kus) - Of or from Asia.

Common Names:

  • Persian Buttercup, Turban Buttercup, Persian Crowfoot, Ranunculus

Links:

Image Courtesy of hokus_pokus_pas.

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