Ranunculus arvensis was once a common species across much of the British Isles but is now much reduced in range, and continuing to decline, due to use of pesticides.
Common name:
Corn buttercup
Family:
Scientific name:
Ranunculus arvensis
Main flower color:
Range:
South England
Height:
Up to 40 cm
Habitat:
Arable fields, usually on calcareous soils
Flowers:
Around 10 mm in diameter, with five pale yellow petals and five shorter, hairy, greenish sepals, not reflexed. Flower stalks are covered by short hairs
Fruit:
Small capsules, armed with relatively long, thick, broad spines, each fringed with smaller spines
Leaves:
Yellowish-green, pinnately divided once or twice into narrow lobes, often shallowly further divided
Season:
May to July
Rarity:
★★★★★
