| Lesser Spearwort | Buttercup family |
| Ranunculus flammula | Ranunculaceae |
Lesser Spearwort is a common plant of marshes and damp grassland. It gets its name from its leaves, which unlike other buttercups are long and spear-shaped. The plant can be erect or prostrate, with green or red furrowed stems. The juice is very irritating, and was formerly used for blistering.
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| Spear-shaped leaves and red stems |
Furrowed stem | Seeds (achenes) |
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Technical Information
Perennial herb, either erect or prostrate, sometimes rooting at some nodes Stems often reddish, stalks slightly hairy Leaves: upper leaves sessile and narrowly lance-shaped; lower leaves stalked and broader Calyx: 5 yellowish sepals Flowers: bright yellow petals, 7-20mm across Flowering time: April-September Habitat: Damp or wet places Distribution: Common throughout Britain |