Family: Ranunculaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 554 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Ranunculus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Macaronesia, Temp. Eurasia, NW. Africa
Description
The Creeping Buttercup, scientifically known as Ranunculus repens, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. This plant is easily recognizable by its bright, golden-yellow flowers and its distinctive creeping growth habit, hence its common name.
Ranunculus repens is native to a wide range of regions, including Macaronesia, temperate areas of Eurasia, and northwestern Africa. The plant thrives particularly well in moist, fertile soils and is commonly found in grasslands, gardens, and other areas with disturbed soil. Its adaptability to various environmental conditions contributes to its widespread distribution.
Historically documented in the comprehensive plant reference “Species Plantarum” published in 1753, the Creeping Buttercup was classified by the renowned botanist, Linnaeus (abbreviated as L.). The reference can be found specifically on page 554 of the seminal text.
The Creeping Buttercup is characterized by its glossy, deeply lobed leaves and stoloniferous growth, which allows it to form extensive mats. This growth pattern makes it an effective groundcover but also a potentially invasive species in some regions, where it can out-compete native flora.
Botanists and gardeners appreciate Ranunculus repens for its resilience and vibrant blooms, which can add a splash of color to any landscape. However, due to its robust nature and rapid spread, it requires careful management to prevent it from becoming overly dominant.
In summary, the Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens) is a vibrant and widespread member of the Ranunculaceae family, noted for its creeping stems and bright yellow flowers. Its ability to adapt to various environments across Macaronesia, temperate Eurasia, and northwestern Africa underscores its ecological versatility and resilience.
Common Names
Eng: creeping buttercup, creeping crowfoot
Deu: kriechender hahnenfuss, kriechender hahnenfuß
Dan: lav ranunkel
Spa: ranunculo del prado
Nld: kruipende boterbloem
Nob: krypsoleie
Nno: krypsoleie
Nor: krypsoløj, løen soløj, revjegras
Fra: renoncule rampante
Swe: revsmörblomma, rönsyleinikki, revranunkel
Fin: rönsyleinikki
Sme: slinzefiskesrássi
Cym: blodyn-ymenyn ymlusgol, crafanc orweddol, crafanc y frân, crafanc y frân ymlusgaidd, crafanc y frân ymlusgedd, egyllt ymlusgol
En: Creeping buttercup, Creeping crowfoot
Ar: حوذان معترش
Az: Sürünən qaymaqçiçəyi
Be: Казялец паўзучы
Bs: Livadski ljutić
Bg: Пълзящо лютиче
Ca: Ranuncle arrossegat, Ranuncle repent
Zh: 匍枝毛茛
Kw: Paw bran kramya
Hr: Puzavi žabnjak
Cs: Pryskyřník plazivý
Da: Lav Ranunkel
Nl: Kruipende boterbloem
Eo: Rampa ranunkolo
Et: Roomav tulikas
Fi: Rönsyleinikki
Fr: Renoncule rampante, Bassinet
Gl: Herba belida
De: Kriechender Hahnenfuss, Kriechender Hahnenfuß
Hu: Kúszó boglárka
Is: Skriðsóley
Ga: Fearbán reatha
It: Crescione selvatico, Ranuncolo strisciante
Lv: Ložņu gundega
Li: Kraopoeat
Lt: Šliaužiantysis vėdrynas
Gv: Buighag
Se: Slinzefiskesrássi
No: Krypsoleie, Krypsoløj, Løen soløj, Revjegras
Nb: Krypsoleie
Nn: Krypsoleie
Oc: Auriflam
Os: Хилаг бурдидинæг
Fa: رنانکولوس رپنز
Pl: Jaskier rozłogowy
Pt: Campaínhas-de-ouro
Pt-br: Ranúnculo-rasteiro
Qu: Suchuq waranqaysu
Ro: Piciorul cocoșului
Ru: Лютик ползучий
Gd: Buidheag
Sr: Пузави љутић
Sk: Iskerník plazivý
Es: Ranunculo del prado, Botón de oro, Bugalla, Ranúnculo de prado, Ranúnculo rastrero, Redellobas
Sv: Revsmörblomma, Rönsyleinikki, Revranunkel
Uk: Жовтець повзучий
Cy: Blodyn-menyn ymlusgol, Blodyn-Ymenyn Ymlusgol, Crafanc Orweddol, Crafanc y Frân, Crafanc y Frân Ymlusgaidd, Crafanc y Frân Ymlusgedd, Egyllt Ymlusgol
Fy: Bûterblom
Synonyms
- Ranunculus tomentosus (Poir.)
- Ranunculus repens var. prostratus (Gaudin)
- Ranunculus schlechtendalii (Hook.)
- Ranunculus semidecurrens (Opiz)
- Ranunculus repens var. alpinus (Gaudin)
- Ranunculus infestus (Salisb.)
- Ranunculus repens f. schlechtendalii (Kurtz)
- Ranunculus repens f. tenuisectus (Regel)
- Ranunculus repens f. pusillus (Regel)
- Ranunculus repens var. latisectus (Schur)
- Ranunculus repens var. suberectus (Gaudin)
- Ranunculus repens var. villosus (Lamotte)
- Ranunculus repens var. albomaculatus (N.H.F.Desp.)
- Ranunculus repens var. pleniflorus (Fernald)
- Ranunculastrum reptabundum (Fourr.)
- Ranunculastrum repens ((L.) Fourr.)
- Ranunculus repens subsp. reptabundus ((Jord.) P.Fourn.)
- Ranunculus clintonii (L.C.Beck)
- Ranunculus repens var. brevistylus (Maxim.)
- Ranunculus repens var. apiifolius (Wallr.)
- Ranunculus repens var. myrrhiphyllus (Wallr.)
- Ranunculus repens var. major (Nakai)
- Ranunculus lucidus (Poir.)
- Ranunculus repens f. polypetalus (S.H.Li & Y.H.Huang)
- Ranunculus repens var. vulgaris (Wimm. & Grab.)
- Ranunculus repens f. glabratus ((DC.) Wimm. & Grab.)
- Ranunculus repens f. hirsutus (Wimm. & Grab.)
- Ranunculus reptabundus (Jord.)
- Ranunculus repens var. tenuifolius (Wimm. & Grab.)
- Ranunculus repens var. erectus (DC.)
- Ranunculus repens f. declinatus (C.G.Westerl.)
- Ranunculus caleyanus (G.Don)
- Ranunculus repens var. linearilobus (DC.)
- Ranunculus repens var. glabratus (DC.)
- Ranunculus repens var. villosiusculus (Gaudin)
- Ranunculus repens f. viridiflorus (Gaudin)
- Ranunculus oenanthifolius (Ten. & Guss.)
- Ranunculus repens var. degeneratus (Schur)
- Ranunculus belvisii (DC.)
- Ranunculus prostratus (Poir.)
- Ranunculus lagascanus (DC.)
- Ranunculus repens var. lucidus ((Poir.) DC.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Altay (native)
- Amur (native)
- Austria (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- Chita (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iran (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Krym (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Magadan (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Alaska (introduced)
- Alberta (introduced)
- Aleutian Is. (introduced)
- Amsterdam-St.Paul Is (introduced)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Argentina Northwest (introduced)
- Argentina South (introduced)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Brazil South (introduced)
- Brazil Southeast (introduced)
- British Columbia (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Chile Central (introduced)
- Chile South (introduced)
- Colorado (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- Crozet Is. (introduced)
- Delaware (introduced)
- District of Columbia (introduced)
- East Himalaya (introduced)
- Falkland Is. (introduced)
- Greenland (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Idaho (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Indiana (introduced)
- Iowa (introduced)
- Iraq (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Kerguelen (introduced)
- Labrador (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Minnesota (introduced)
- Missouri (introduced)
- Montana (introduced)
- Nebraska (introduced)
- Nevada (introduced)
- New Brunswick (introduced)
- New Caledonia (introduced)
- New Hampshire (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- Norfolk Is. (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- Nova Scotia (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Panamá (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
- Prince Edward I. (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- South Australia (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- South Dakota (introduced)
- South Georgia (introduced)
- Svalbard (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Utah (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Victoria (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
- West Virginia (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
- Wyoming (introduced)
- Yukon (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken May 7, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 12, 2019 by Muriel Wanderstok (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 14, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 9, 2020 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Apr 22, 2022 by 🐞Hélène🐦 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 5, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 18, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jun 3, 2021 by Rafał Has (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 15, 2020 by Thierry LE COM (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 10, 2022 by trees flinkerbusch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 30, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 3, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 30, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 8, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Ans GORTER (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 29, 2018 by Meiga Entropía (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:713678-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3033339)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ranunculus repens L.)
Specifications
Growth form: Stoloniferous
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth rate: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.2
Ph minimum: 5.6
Light: 5
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]
Soil nutriments: 7
Soil salinity: 1