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Description
Meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris) is a tall buttercup and herbaceous perennial plant with glossy yellow flowers that brighten wildflower meadows, pastures, parks, and gardens across the UK. Also known by common names such as tall buttercup and giant buttercup, it is a familiar species within grassland communities and wildflower meadows.
The buttery-yellow flowers appear from late spring into summer and are an important source of nectar and pollen for pollinating insects, such as bumblebees. Meadow buttercup has long been featured in folklore, including the well-known playground game of holding a buttercup flower under the chin to see if it reflects yellow light.
How to identify
Ranunculus acris has upright, erect stems and large, glossy yellow buttercup flowers held above deeply divided green leaves. The flowers are typically found in open meadow flower displays rather than forming dense mats.
It grows taller than similar species such as Bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus) and Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens), and unlike creeping buttercup, it does not spread by runners.
How to grow
Meadow buttercup grows best in full sun or partial shade and is well-suited to wildflower meadow planting and naturalistic grassland. It prefers moist but well-drained soil and will tolerate a range of soil types, including neutral and slightly calcareous soils. Once established, it is a low-maintenance perennial that returns reliably each year and supports biodiversity in meadow and wildlife garden settings.
