Ranunculus flammula

RHS Plant Profile

lesser spearwort

Other common names

creeping spearwort, small spearwort, snake's tongue, banewort, llafnlys bach

Aquatic Bogs Herbaceous Perennial

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A marginal aquatic perennial with semi-erect, red-tinged green, spear-shaped leaves 1-2.5 cm long and bearing bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers, 2cm across in early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Poorly–drained
pH: Acid or 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): H7

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 eatenskin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eatenskin 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
Plant Range: Northern Hemisphere

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in still or slow moving water 15-22cm deep

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe, or by division inspring or late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, slug and snail damage

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, a rust and grey moulds