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Common Name: Creeping Spearwort

General Information

Ranunculus reptans is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.20 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

Range

Northern and central Europe, including Britain.

Habitat

A rare plant of lake margins in the Lake District and in Scotland[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Beetles
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moist loamy soil on the heavy side.
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[].

Edible Uses

Root - cooked[]. The roots have been baked and then dipped in oil before being eaten[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.