Ranunculus flammula, otherwise known as Lesser Spearwort.

This is a new one for me and it is quite important that I write these things down so that I don’t forget them.

Lesser Spearwort is a member of the family Ranunculaceae (Buttercup). Ranunculaceae is from the Latin word Ranunculus and means “Little Frog” because Buttercups look like little frogs? Or possibly for some other reason. I don’t know why they are little frogs but I quite like the name.

Pictures.

The shape of the plant is a lot like a Meadow Buttercup, it is smaller and obviously the flower is different (not really a cup) and it is a waterside plant. It only grows in damp places.

Another good clue to the identification is a red tint to the stems.

More Pictures.

Well thanks if you read this post and double thanks if you enjoyed it. I need to know the names of things and I need to notice them. If this little flower has taken the trouble to be in the world then it would be very rude of me not to notice it and not to care about it.

It is poisonous BTW. 🙂