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Description
Species Information
Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus), also known as St. Anthony’s turnip, is a familiar native spring wildflower, brightening grasslands and roadside verges with its cheerful butter-yellow flowers. This hardy perennial is commonly found in meadows, pastures, and open countryside across the UK.
Unlike the similar Creeping Buttercup, this species grows from a distinctive swollen underground stem known as a corm. This bulb-like structure allows the plant to survive from year to year. After flowering, the plant dies back in summer, but the corm remains safely below the soil over winter, ready to produce fresh growth the following spring.
Bulbous Buttercup thrives on chalk and limestone grasslands, preferring well-drained, nutrient-poor soils and sunny locations. It often appears where fresh soil has been exposed and where taller plants struggle to dominate, making it an important species in traditional grassland habitats.
How to Identify
Bulbous Buttercup grows to a height of around 20–50cm and flowers from March to May, providing welcome early-season colour.
It can be recognised by its bright yellow, glossy flowers with five petals and downturned sepals beneath, a key feature that helps to distinguish it from other buttercup species. The stems are softly hairy, and the leaves are deeply lobed, forming neat clumps at the base of the plant.
At ground level, you may notice the small bulb-like swelling at the base of the stem, the corm, from which this species gets its name.
Although attractive, the plant contains mildly toxic compounds and should not be eaten by people or animals. However, it remains an important nectar source for early pollinating insects.
How to Grow
Bulbous Buttercup is easy to establish and is ideal for wildflower meadows, natural planting schemes, and traditional grassland areas.
For best results, plant seeds or wildflower plug plants in autumn or early spring in a sunny position with well-drained soil. It performs particularly well on lime-rich or calcareous soils and does not require fertile ground.
Once established, it needs very little maintenance. Light grazing, occasional hay-cutting, or simply allowing natural conditions to develop will help maintain the open grassland environment it prefers.
Perfect for encouraging biodiversity and adding a splash of spring colour, Bulbous Buttercup is a delightful and reliable native wildflower for any wildlife-friendly garden.
