Greater creeping spearwort (Ranunculus flammula)
Also known as: Spearwort
The perennial plant known as Ranunculus flammula, or greater creeping spearwort, is toxic and thrives in moist environments, producing yellow blossoms. The species name, *flammula*, resembles the Latin word *flamma*, meaning flame, possibly alluding to its potent toxicity.
In This Article
Attributes of Greater creeping spearwort
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
2.5 cm to 25 cm
Spread
30 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
2.5 cm
Flower Color
Yellow
Images of Greater creeping spearwort
Quickly Identify Greater creeping spearwort
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Low-growing habit forming dense mats
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Bright yellow flowers with 5 egg-shaped petals
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Flowers have bright yellow stamens encircling green styles
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Leaves are dark green, oval-shaped, and semi-prostrate
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Stems are slender, reddish, and can root at the nodes
Scientific Classification of Greater creeping spearwort
Phylum
Vascular plants
Class
Dicotyledons
Order
Ranunculales
Family
Buttercup
Genus
Ranunculus
Species
Greater creeping spearwort
Planting and Growing of Greater creeping spearwort
Care Difficulty
Easy
Watering Schedule
Every 2 days
Sunlight Requirements
Partial sun
Sunshine Duration
4-8 hours
Ideal Temperature
59-77℉
Soil Type
Potting Mix, Peat Mix
Soil pH
6.5-7.5
Fertilizer Type
Balanced
Pruning Season
Spring, Summer
Pruning Area
Branches, Leaves
Pruning Frequency
2 times a year
Repotting Season
Spring
Pot Type
Plastic, Ceramic
How to Water Greater creeping spearwort?
For Ranunculus flammula, it is crucial to ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Water until the top 5cm of soil is damp, providing around 500 ml per session, depending on pot size and climate conditions.
What are the symptoms of an underwatered Greater creeping spearwort?
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What should I do if my Greater creeping spearwort is not getting enough water?
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What are the symptoms of an overwatered Greater creeping spearwort?
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How to save an overwatered Greater creeping spearwort?
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What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Greater creeping spearwort?
Ranunculus flammula prefers partial to full sun, which translates to 4-8 hours of daily light. Ideal lighting promotes robust growth, rich green foliage, and abundant flowering.
How much light does Ranunculus flammula need?
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What are the solutions to achieve ideal light?
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What are the benefits of ideal lighting?
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What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Greater creeping spearwort?
For optimal growth, Ranunculus flammula should be cultivated in an environment where the temperature ranges between 59°F and 77°F. This range ensures that the plant can photosynthesize efficiently and maintain cellular processes without stress. Maintaining this temperature helps in the proper flowering and overall vigor of the plant.
What Soil is Best for Greater creeping spearwort?
Ranunculus flammula thrives in soils that retain moisture effectively, such as loam and peat. These soil types provide the consistent water supply necessary for healthy growth while preventing waterlogging, which can harm root integrity. Rich organic content in the soil, particularly from peat, facilitates robust root development and supports nutrient uptake. This organic matter breaks down slowly, continuously enriching the soil with nutrients important for the plant's resilience and flowering capabilities. Sandy loam offers excellent aeration, which is crucial for Ranunculus flammula. Good aeration allows oxygen to reach the roots, promoting vigorous growth and ensuring that the plant does not succumb to root diseases caused by anaerobic conditions.
How to Fertilize Greater creeping spearwort?
For Ranunculus flammula, it's essential to avoid over-fertilizing. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at a half-strength dilution. During the growing season, apply approximately 10 grams per plant to encourage healthy growth.
How to Prune Greater creeping spearwort?
Start by removing any dead or damaged stems and leaves. Cut them back to the base or the nearest healthy node. This clears the way for healthy growth and reduces the risk of disease. Trim back excessively long stems to encourage bushier growth. Make cuts just above a leaf node to promote the development of new shoots, creating a more compact and attractive plant form. Regularly pinching back the spent blooms not only keeps the plant looking neat but also redirects energy into producing more flowers, prolonging the blooming period.
How to Propagate Greater creeping spearwort plant?
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Fill the seed tray with a high-quality seed starting mix. Moisten the soil slightly to ensure it's damp but not waterlogged, providing a welcoming environment for seeds to germinate.
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Select healthy, non-flowered stems and cut a 4-6 inch section just below a node. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end into rooting hormone to encourage root growth.
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Lift the mature Ranunculus flammula plant carefully from the soil. Divide into smaller sections using a sterile knife, ensuring each section has roots attached for successful multiplication.
How to Repot Greater creeping spearwort plant?
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Repotting Ranunculus flammula is essential when you notice roots bursting out of the drainage holes or the soil drying out too quickly. Typically, this happens every two years, but keep an eye out for these signals. The best time for repotting is during the growing seasons of spring and summer when the plant is actively seeking nutrients.
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When selecting a pot for Ranunculus flammula, opt for one that is just a couple of inches larger in diameter than its current one. A pot too large can hold excess moisture, leading to root rot. The pot should have sufficient drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, ensuring healthy root growth and moisture balance.
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The ideal soil for repotting Ranunculus flammula is rich, loamy, and well-draining. Ample organic matter will support nutrient uptake, while the loamy texture ensures necessary drainage and aeration. This type of soil mimics the natural environment, promoting strong and vibrant growth.
Toxicity of Greater creeping spearwort
Is Greater creeping spearwort toxic to humans?
The greater creeping spearwort is recognized as a toxic plant exhibiting low to moderate levels of toxicity. Ingesting the plant can lead to moderate to severe poisoning, while merely touching it may result in contact dermatitis. All parts of the plant, including its sap, are toxic due to the presence of an oily glycoside known as ranunculin, which transforms into protoanemonin in the human body—this chemical functions as an irritant. When consumed, the plant induces a painful burning sensation in the mouth, lips, and tongue. Additional symptoms of poisoning can include excessive salivation, unsteady movements, and gastrointestinal disturbances, such as nausea, (bloody) diarrhea, colic, and vomiting. Contact with the sap causes skin irritation manifesting as redness, blisters, itching, and swelling.
WARNING
The judgment on toxicity and danger is for reference only. We DO NOT GUARANTEE any accuracy of such judgment. Therefore, you SHALL NOT rely on such judgment. It is IMPORTANT TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE in advance when necessary.
