Bulbous Buttercup
Ranunculus bulbosus
Also known as Bulbous Crowsfoot, Cuckoo-buds, Blister Flower
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A low-growing perennial wildflower with glossy yellow cup-shaped flowers and distinctive bulbous swollen bases. Common in meadows and grasslands, it spreads readily and can become invasive in some regions.
Why grow it
Bulbous buttercup offers early-season forage and nectar for pollinators, flowering ahead of many similar Ranunculus species. Its low stature and dense growth habit make it useful for erosion control on disturbed ground or poor soils where other species struggle. Compared to creeping buttercup, it establishes more quickly from seed and is easier to manage in pasture rotations.
Watch out for
Bulbous buttercup thrives in moist to moderately damp soil and may struggle in consistently dry conditions. It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade, though flowering will be reduced in shadier spots. Mowing or grazing management works better than herbicide control if you need to manage its spread, since the bulbs can regenerate from soil disturbance.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean and Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A low-growing perennial wildflower with glossy yellow cup-shaped flowers and distinctive bulbous swollen bases. Common in meadows and grasslands, it spreads readily and can become invasive in some regions.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Bulbous Buttercup grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Bulbous buttercup offers early-season forage and nectar for pollinators, flowering ahead of many similar Ranunculus species. Its low stature and dense growth habit make it useful for erosion control on disturbed ground or poor soils where other species struggle. Compared to creeping buttercup, it establishes more quickly from seed and is easier to manage in pasture rotations.
Watch out for
Bulbous buttercup thrives in moist to moderately damp soil and may struggle in consistently dry conditions. It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade, though flowering will be reduced in shadier spots. Mowing or grazing management works better than herbicide control if you need to manage its spread, since the bulbs can regenerate from soil disturbance.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean and Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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