Corn buttercup

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Corn Buttercup
• corn crowfoot
• field buttercup
• Devil-on-all-sides

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ranunculus arvensis var. inermis
• Ranunculus arvensis subsp. tuberculatus
• Ranunculus arvensis var. multiplex
• Ranunculus arvensis var. reticulatus
• Ranunculus arvensis f. radicans
• Ranunculus arvensis var. echinatissimus
• Ranunculus tuberculatus
• Ranunculus fernandezii
• Ranunculus curvirostratus
• Ranunculus echinatissimus
• Ranunculus echinatus
• Ranunculus segetalis
• Ranunculus reticulatus
• Ranunculus arvensis var. tuberculatus
• Ranunculus arvensis f. tuberculatus
• Hericinia arvensis
• Pachyloma arvense
• Cynomorbium heterophyllum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales. Ultimately, it is a member of the family Ranunculaceae and is identified by the genus Ranunculus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across various regions of Northern Europe. Its distribution can be traced through several specific countries within this northern zone. Specifically, it is found growing in the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. The species is also commonly documented throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical range extends further north into the territory of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ranunculus arvensis is characterized by its significant adaptability to diverse landscapes and altitudinal gradients. This species thrives across a broad elevational range, spanning from sea level at 0 m AMSL up to a maximum altitude of 3500 m AMSL. Its preferred habitats are varied, frequently occurring in disturbed environments such as crop fields, as well as in more rugged topographical features including hills and mountains. Additionally, the plant is often found in proximity to riparian zones, specifically around rivers, where moisture availability supports its growth patterns.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, hills, mountains, rivers

Life history

The life history of Ranunculus arvensis is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant survives the unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds, which remain dormant in the soil until conditions are suitable for regrowth. Furthermore, this species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it concludes its seasonal growth cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Ranunculus arvensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It functions as an independent organism, neither a parasite nor an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial habitat. The plant is self-supporting rather than a climber or vine, exhibiting an erect shoot orientation. In terms of stature, it is a relatively small plant with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.12 m to a maximum of 0.6 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.269 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.269333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.12 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ranunculus arvensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many temperate herbaceous species. As a non-carnivorous plant, it relies entirely on soil nutrients and does not possess mechanisms for capturing prey, nor does it function as a nitrogen fixer. The leaf morphology plays a critical role in its metabolic efficiency, exhibiting a linear leaf form with a mean leaf size of 5.76 cm². The dimensions of the leaves are relatively consistent, featuring a mean leaf length of 2.5 cm (ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 3 cm) and a mean leaf width of 3 cm, which remains constant across its minimum and maximum recorded values. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 274 cm²/g, reflecting its structural investment in leaf tissue relative to its dry mass.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

linear

Leaf length max:

3 cm

Leaf length mean:

2.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf size mean:

5.76 cm²

Leaf width mean:

3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

274 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ranunculus arvensis is characterized by a flowering period that typically commences in May and concludes in July. The flowers are yellow in color, with widths ranging from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 1.3 cm. Pollination is primarily a biotic process driven by an insect pollination syndrome. While the plant is capable of self-fertilization, it does not exhibit asexual reproduction. Following fertilization, the plant produces indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. These fruits possess specific dimensions, with a mean length of 0.51 cm (ranging from 0.47 cm to 0.8 cm), a mean width of approximately 0.27 cm (ranging from 0.13 cm to 0.5 cm), and a mean height of 0.335 cm (ranging from 0.37 cm to 0.37 cm). The seeds contained within these fruits have a mean mass of 0.012374 g, with individual seed masses ranging from 0.009 g to 0.01355 g. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via epizoochory, where the fruits are transported by animals.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

epizoochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower width max:

1.3 cm

Flower width min:

0.6 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit height max:

0.37 cm

Fruit height mean:

0.335 cm

Fruit length max:

0.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.51 cm

Fruit length min:

0.47 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

0.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.27125 cm

Fruit width min:

0.13 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.01355 g

Seed mass mean:

0.012374 g

Seed mass min:

0.009 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ranunculus arvensis has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-Cineol, Biosol, CARVACROL, Flavonoids, RUTIN.

1,8-Cineol

1. Natural product research

Biosol

1. Natural product research

CARVACROL

1. Natural product research

Flavonoids

1. BMC research notes

RUTIN

1. BMC research notes

Terpinyl acetate

1. Natural product research

caffeic acid

1. BMC research notes

l-Perillaldehyde

1. Natural product research

Activities

Ranunculus arvensis has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticarcinogenic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiprotozoal.

Antibacterial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticarcinogenic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Turkish journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiprotozoal

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Ranunculus arvensis has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Candida albicans, arthritis, asthma, hay fever, psoriasis.

Candida albicans

1. Turkish journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Arthritis

1. BMC research notes

Asthma

1. BMC research notes

Hay fever

1. BMC research notes

Psoriasis

1. BMC research notes

Rheumatism

1. BMC research notes

Preparations

Ranunculus arvensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oil from aerial parts.

Essential oil from aerial parts

1. Natural product research