Ranunculus pennsylvanicus
L.f.
Pennsylvania Buttercup
Ashley Hillman
Ashley Hillman
Shaun Pogacnik
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves
Leaves - cooked. The leaves contain toxins but in too low a concentration to be harmful.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
Northern N. America - Labrador to Alaska and south to Colorado.
Coming Soon
How to Identify
Ranunculus pennsylvanicus is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
How to Grow
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a moist loamy soil. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes.
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Medicinal Uses
Rubefacient. The plant is rubefacient. It is used to raise blisters.
Other Uses
Dye. The entire plant can be boiled to yield a red dye. It is mixed with the bark of bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) which acts to fix the colour. The entire plant can be boiled with rushes (Juncus spp) or flags (Iris spp and Acorus calamus) to colour them yellow for use in making mats, baskets etc.
