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Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens 

 
 
Wildlife GardenWildlife garden plant
Attracts BeesBees are attracted to this plant
Attracts ButterfliesButterflies are attracted to this plant
Attracts HoverfliesHoverflies are attracted to this plant
Perennial Life CyclePerennial life cycle
Cup-Shaped FlowersCup-shaped flowers
Yellow FlowersYellow flowers
5 Petals5 petals
May-Sep Flowering
period
Trifoliate LeavesTrifoliate leaves
Lobe-Edged LeavesLobe-edged leaves
Ribbed StemRibbed stem
Fibrous RootsFibrous roots
30cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Creeping Buttercup

© 2020-2025 Adrian Briggs

 

Creeping Buttercup is a native perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in damp soil and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 30cm.

The Creeping Buttercup is distinguished from other common buttercups by: its creeping, ground-covering habit; its trailing stolons; its relatively short, hairy stems; its triangular (often mottled) leaves, divided into three lobe-edged leaflets; and its erect sepals underneath the flower (not turned downwards).

Botanic classification and naming: Creeping Buttercup is a member of the Buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family. The genus name 'Ranunculus' identifies the plant as a Buttercup and its species name 'repens' means 'creeping plant'.

Concerns: The Creeping Buttercup is toxic. In contact with the skin, it can cause rashes and blistering. If ingested, it affects the digestive and nervous systems.

Benefits: Pollinated by bees, flies and beetles.

Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.

 

 
Flower of Creeping Buttercup

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Creeping Buttercup usually flowers between May and September.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour Yellow

Yellow

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Cup

Cup

Petals:

Petal Number =  5

5

Leaf of Creeping Buttercup

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Trifoliate

Trifoliate

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is lobed

lobed

Stem of Creeping Buttercup

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Ribbed

Ribbed

Root type:

Root Type is Fibrous

Fibrous