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Common Name: Lesser Spearwort

General Information

Ranunculus flammula is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.60 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine..

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant are poisonous when fresh, the toxins are destroyed by heat or by drying[, , , , ]. The plant also has a strongly acrid juice that can cause blistering to the skin[, ].

Botanical References

,

Range

Most of Europe, including Britain, to temperate Asia.

Habitat

Common in wet places throughout Britain[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Flies, bees, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of boggy soils and shallow water, it prefers a loamy soil and a sunny position.
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The whole plant is strongly rubefacient[]. A tincture of the plant is used to cure ulcers[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. This plant does not really need any encouragement.
Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.