The toxic oil is also irritating to the eyes. If swallowed, severe gastrointestinal irritation can follow, accompanied by dizziness, spasms, and paralysis. When the leaves are chewed, blisters can form on the lips and face. Symptoms occur within an hour of contact and include burning and itching along with rashes and blisters. When the leaves are crushed or bruised, ranunculin breaks down to form an acrid, toxic oil called protoanemonin. Common habitats include moist woods, meadows, open fields, wetlands and other riparian areas, as well as drier sites like roadsides and neglected, urban lots. Several species are commonly grown as ornamentals, and others are common weeds in natural areas, urban landscapes, and agricultural fields.Īll buttercups contain a compound called ranunculin. Ranunculus species are found throughout the world. Flowering usually occurs in the spring.īulbous buttercup ( Ranunculus bulbosus) – photo credit: wikimedia commons The flowers are complete, having both male and female reproductive structures that are easily identifiable. Buttercup flowers are usually yellow (sometimes white) with 5 petals (sometimes 3 or 7) that are either borne singly or in loose clusters.
Ranunculus consists of a few hundred species and is a common group of annual and perennial herbaceous plants with alternately arranged, palmately veined leaves that are either entire, lobed, or finely divided. On second thought, DON’T DO THAT! This is not a childhood game and should absolutely be avoided…unless, of course, you derive some sort of pleasure from painful blisters.īuttercups, also commonly known as crowfoots, are in the genus Ranunculus and the family Ranunculaceae. Now take the fresh green leaves of buttercups, crush them up, and rub them against your skin. Apart from helping to warm the flower’s sex organs, this glow is thought to draw in pollinating insects to ensure proper pollination. Recent research explored the cellular structure of buttercup petals and revealed the anatomical reason behind their yellow glow. That is according to a classic childhood game anyway. If your chin glows yellow, you love butter.
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