Adder’s-Tongue Spearwort
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(Ranunculus ophioglossifolius)
Adder’s-Tongue Spearwort (Ranunculus ophioglossifolius)
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Yves Bas
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Yves Bas
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Yves Bas | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Yves Bas | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-05-07T14:07:46-07:00 |
Summary
Ranunculus ophioglossifolius, commonly known as adder’s-tongue spearwort or Badgeworth buttercup, is a perennial herb native to wet meadows, marshes, and the edges of ponds and streams in southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. It has also been introduced to New Zealand. This species typically grows to a height of 5-15 cm and features bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers that bloom from May to July, adding a splash of color to its habitat. The plant has a rosette of lance-shaped leaves at the base and slender, upright flowering stems.
Adder’s-tongue spearwort is valued for its vibrant flowers and is often used in the conservation of wetland habitats due to its rarity in certain regions, such as the British Isles where it is restricted to just two sites. It requires consistently moist soil and full sun to part shade conditions to thrive. While it is not commonly used in general cultivation due to its specific habitat requirements, it can be a unique addition to water gardens or naturalized wetland areas. Gardeners should be aware that it may require protection in areas where it is rare to prevent further decline.CC BY-SA 4.0
Adder’s-tongue spearwort is valued for its vibrant flowers and is often used in the conservation of wetland habitats due to its rarity in certain regions, such as the British Isles where it is restricted to just two sites. It requires consistently moist soil and full sun to part shade conditions to thrive. While it is not commonly used in general cultivation due to its specific habitat requirements, it can be a unique addition to water gardens or naturalized wetland areas. Gardeners should be aware that it may require protection in areas where it is rare to prevent further decline.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.5-1 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention:
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Drainage: Standing, Slow, Medium
Common Uses
Low Maintenance, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Wet meadows, marshes, and the edges of ponds and streams in southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia
Other Names
Common Names: Adder Tongue Spearwort, Adder’s Tongue Buttercup, Snake-Tongue Crowfoot
Scientific Names: Ranunculus ophioglossifolius, Glossophyllum ophioglossifolium, Ranunculus asiaticus, Ranunculus cochlearifolius, Ranunculus cordifolius, Ranunculus depressus, Ranunculus fistulosus, Ranunculus geoides, Ranunculus minimus
GBIF Accepted Name: Ranunculus ophioglossifolius