Identify.
Ranunculus repens, commonly know as the "creeping buttercup", is a popular beauty to come across in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia.
Blooming from May to August, the flower petals are a radiant yellow and sometimes white. The petals measure 2-3 cm and are attached to hairy stems that have three lobed green leaves with worn edges.
Habitat.
The creeping buttercup can be found in many different places but all of them have something in common: moisture. Moisture is essential for the creeping buttercup to survive.
They are often found in:
- Farmlands
- Woodland trails
- Natural wetlands
- Ponds & streams
- Seepage areas
But be aware.
As many members of the Ranunculaceae family, the creeping buttercup is poisonous to both humans as well as animals if ingested raw, as it contains a chemical called Protoanemonin.
Call 911 immediately if you know the creeping buttercup has been consumed by someone.
Food source.
Short tongued bees find the creeping buttercup to be a reliable food source as it is is not a deep flower and it is much easier to access the pollen necessary for their survival.
Conservation.
While the creeping buttercup is also considered a weed, it is also a beautiful wildflower. It is a food source for our bees and should be left untouched in the wilderness. Let us make a point of respecting the natural wild and all of it's beauty in whatever form that may be.
Let us always remember that the world is not here just for us but for all living species.
