Pennsylvania Buttercup (Ranunculus pennsylvanicus)
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Exposure
- Full sun
Cultivation
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.
Edible uses
Leaves - cooked.
Medicinal uses
The plant is rubefacient.
Material uses
The entire plant can be boiled to yield a red dye. 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.
Habitat
Wet meadows, alluvium, ditches etc.
Native range
Northern N. America - Labrador to Alaska and south to Colorado.
Same genus
- Littleleaf buttercup (Ranunculus abortivus)
- Aconite-leaf buttercup (Ranunculus aconitifolius)
- Sharpleaf buttercup (Ranunculus acriformis)
- Tall buttercup (Ranunculus acris)
- Alpine buttercup (Ranunculus adoneus)
- Plantainleaf buttercup (Ranunculus alismifolius)
- Allegheny Mountain buttercup (Ranunculus allegheniensis)
- Allen's buttercup (Ranunculus allenii)