Ranunculus is a genus of more than 400 species of herbaceous and perennial plants that belong to the Ranunculaceae family. Commonly known as French, marimoñas or buttercups, they are native to the Asian continent, although they cut wildly in America, Asia and Europe.
These are tuberous rooted plants that do not exceed one meter in height, the bright green leaves vary between lanceolate, palmate or segmented. The single or double flowers are arranged in a rosette and present a great variety of colors, generally blooming during spring or winter.
Its cultivation is carried out for ornamental or commercial purposes, either to sow in pots, gardens and terraces, or as a cut flower for flower arrangements. It is considered a poisonous plant due to the presence of protoanemonin, a toxin with an irritant effect that can cause poisoning of livestock..
Most of the commercial species of the genus Buttercups they are annual or biennial and in the wild they have aquatic or terrestrial habits. Among the main species are: Ranunculus aconitifolius, Ranunculus arvensis, Ranunculus asiaticus, Ranunculus auricomus, Ranunculus batrachium, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus glacialis, Ranunculus gramineus Y Ranunculus platanifolius.
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Buttercups are perennial herbs with tuberous roots, gray-green stems, erect, branched and tomentose, regularly reaching between 10-60 cm in height. The stems develop from a robust root system from whose main root multiple secondary roots develop, being of the rhizomatous or bulbous type.
They are species of terrestrial or aquatic habits, the terrestrial ones of erect or creeping growth, as well as the foliage, it can be meager or exuberant. In species with aquatic habits, the stem develops submerged and flaccid, without any type of support tissue..
The leaves are simple and petiolate, basal or caulinar, with serrated or lobed margins, and are between 6-8 cm long. They have a conspicuous limb segmented into irregular lobes, variable shapes and sharp terminations, generally light green in color..
The lower leaves develop directly from the root and acquire great morphological diversity. The caulinares are arranged alternately on the stem, are few in number and have a lacinia shape.
In aquatic species, the submerged leaves have the form of capillary lacinias, those that are on the surface develop regularly. In species that develop basal leaves, they usually emerge from a single point at the base of the plant.
The simple or double flowers of 5-6 cm in diameter are composed of 5 triangular-shaped sepals and green color, and more than 5 petals of different colors. Emerge solitary in axillary position from a long flower stalk or pubescent peduncle 15-18 cm long.
The double flowers have more than 20 petals that are grouped in a compact way, they are similar to roses and are known as "false roses". Buttercups have a wide variety of colors ranging from white, yellow, or orange, to red, purple, or pink. Flowering occurs during spring and summer.
The indehiscent nuts are nucules, achenes or polyaquenes 1-4 mm long. They are generally welded to a socket, are oblong, slightly curved, and have small curved spines..
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Ranunculales
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Subfamily: Ranunculoideae
- Tribe: Ranunculeae
- Gender: Ranunculus L.
- Ranunculus: the name of the genus comes from the Latin term "ranunculus"which means" little frog. "Alluding to the fact that many of the species of the genus live, like frogs, near water.
- Coptidium
- Krapfia
- Rhopalopodium
The great diversity of species of the genus Buttercups It includes plants with terrestrial or aquatic habits adapted to different types of ecosystems, but all with extremely attractive flowers. They are generally native plants of North America, Central America, Australia, Asia, and some areas of Europe.
Known as "buttercup", it is a plant with wild habits that develops spontaneously in meadows and countryside. It blooms during spring and is characterized by its 5 golden petals. It is considered the easiest buttercup to propagate, due to its great adaptation to various types of soils and environmental conditions..
It represents the spice most used commercially to obtain hybrids, although its propagation requires special care in terms of temperature and solar radiation. It is a species adapted to Mediterranean conditions, it reaches up to 40 cm in height and its double rose-like flowers present multiple shades.
A species known as "hairy grass", it is cultivated as an ornamental covering plant in large spaces or rocky areas due to its showy yellow flowers. It is an easy plant to grow as long as it is planted in full sun exposure and on well-drained soil..
Perennial species that grows wild throughout Europe. Known as "lesser celandine", it is characterized by its bright green foliage and yellow flowers. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in parks and gardens, however, it requires semi-shade and an adequate level of humidity..
The "water buttercup" is an aquatic species that inhabits rivers and streams throughout Europe, North Africa and South-West Asia. It is characterized by its floating and submerged leaves, branches that reach up to 250 cm in length and its flowers with five white petals with a yellow base..
It is considered an invasive species in wild conditions, being ideal as an ornamental to cover large areas of land. It is known as "bugalla" or "redellobas", it covers large areas thanks to the stolons of its roots, it has an erect stem, oval leaves and yellow flowers..
Buttercups multiply through seeds or by dividing bulbs or tubers.
The seeds are obtained directly from the plant once the petals have detached and the floral structure has dried. Sowing is done directly in pots or germination trays, using a universal substrate and maintaining constant humidity.
It is not necessary to cover the seeds with substrate, in any case it should be kept protected from the sun until the seeds have germinated. When the seedlings have developed more than 6 true leaves they can be transplanted to a larger pot or to the field.
The best time to reproduce buttercups from bulbs or tubers is late summer or early fall. Vegetative structures are obtained from vigorous plants and allowed to dry in a cool, shady environment before planting..
After 2-3 days the tubers will be ready for planting, it is recommended to break with a simple twist, without using tools. The divisions obtained are planted about 5 cm deep, although this depends on the size of the tuber.
Once sown, moderate irrigation should be applied, avoiding waterlogging the substrate, otherwise the tuber may deteriorate. In planters it is customary to maintain a sowing spacing of 12-15 cm between plants, after 25-30 days the new seedlings begin to sprout.
It is a plant that prefers cool and temperate climates, since the high temperatures of tropical climates tend to wilt the foliage. It develops effectively in climates with an average temperature between 12-23 ºC throughout the year, tolerates occasional frosts down to -5 ºC.
Buttercups do better in partial shade than in full sun exposure. As a general rule, they can receive only half a day of direct solar radiation, preferably the first rays of the day that are of less intensity..
It is recommended to grow under polyshade nets or around trees, so that the foliage filters the solar radiation. In fact, diffused sunlight throughout the day favors its flowering.
They grow on loose and well-drained soils, preferably with a high content of organic matter. In parks and planters, it is advisable to prepare the ground before sowing by making an amendment with organic fertilizers or composted manure..
Irrigation should be applied regularly throughout its life cycle, in order to keep the substrate moist. However, waterlogging should be avoided and the ground should never be allowed to dry out completely..
Provided that organic or mineral fertilizer has been applied at the time of sowing, only a nutritional contribution is necessary before flowering. The application of liquid fertilizers with high potassium content will allow to obtain an abundant and vigorous flowering.
Buttercups can be affected by common pests and diseases in ornamental garden plants. Among the most frequent pests are aphids, mealybugs, aphids, thrips, slugs and nematodes that usually affect the tubers, flower stalk and young shoots.
In relation to diseases, buttercups are affected by phytopathogenic fungi when environmental conditions are adverse, mainly excess humidity. During the spring the presence of Oidium sp. on the foliage, in poorly drained soils it is common to Pythium spp. and the incidence of Rhizoctonia spp. causing bulb rot.
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