- Botanical name: Ranunculus flammula
- Common name: Lesser spearwort
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Plant Type: Bog, Marginal, Perennial, Pond
Yellow
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
Lesser spearwort, Ranunculus flammula, is one of Britain’s four native spearworts. Its botanical name ‘flammula’ comes from the latin ‘flamma’, meaning flame, and probably relates to the fiery flavour (and toxicity) of its leaves. Touching or eating any part of the plant may irritate the skin or cause stomach upset.
A marginal plant, it bears pretty yellow buttercups from May to August. Perfect for the pond edge, its sprawling nature provides the perfect cover for wildlife in and around the pond. Its blooms attract a variety of pollinating insects.
Grow Ranunculus flammula at the pond edge or in a bog garden, in full sun to partial shade. It will readily self seed.
How to grow Ranunculus flammula
-
Plant size
50cm height
30cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front, middle
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / boggy / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Ranunculus flammula and wildlife
Ranunculus flammula is known for attracting bees and beneficial insects. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Attractive to Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Ranunculus flammula poisonous?
Ranunculus flammula irritates skin and causes an upset stomach.
Toxic to Cats
Toxic to Dogs
Toxic to Horses
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Ranunculus flammula
