Ranunculus arvensis

RHS Plant Profile

corn buttercup

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Other common names

cornfield crowfoot, cranfanc yr yd, devil on both sides, devil's claws, devil's coach wheel, devil's curry comb, hedgehog, hellweed, hungerweed, starve-acre

Synonyms

Ranunculus reticulatus

Annual Biennial

This dainty annual buttercup was once a common cornfield weed but is now found only in a few scattered locations in England and Scotland. The leaves are deeply divided, with three or five narrow leaflets, and the flowers are relatively small, pale lemon-yellow, appearing in late spring and early summer. The seeds have distinctive, spiky seed cases. Provides nectar for bees and butterflies, and seed for birds

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1 year
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten; skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten; skin irritant - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Ranunculus can be annuals, biennials, evergreen or herbaceous perennials, with rhizomes, tubers or spreading by runners. The leaves are variable but often palmately lobed or dissected and the flowers usually bowl-shaped
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Naturally found in disturbed or cultivated ground on a wide range of soils. Tolerant of heavy clay, it prefers neutral to alkaline soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free