Ranunculus asiaticus

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Ranunculus asiaticus
Persian Buttercup 01.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Ranunculus
Species: R. asiaticus
Binomial name
Ranunculus asiaticus

Ranunculus asiaticus (Persian buttercup) is a species of buttercup (Ranunculus) native to the eastern Mediterranean region in southwestern Asia, southeastern Europe (Crete, Karpathos and Rhodes), and northeastern Africa.[1]

It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 45 cm tall, with simple or branched stems. The basal leaves are three-lobed, with leaves higher on the stems more deeply divided; like the stems, they are downy or hairy. The flowers are 3–5 cm diameter, variably red to pink, yellow, or white, with one to several flowers on each stem.[2]

It is a protected plant in some jurisdictions, including Israel.

Cultivation and uses[edit]

It is a popular ornamental plant in gardens, and widely used in floristry. Numerous cultivars have been selected, including 'Bloomingdale', 'Picotee', 'Pot Dwarf', and 'Superbissima'. The plants can tolerate light frost, but are not hardy at temperatures below -10 °C.[2]

Some strains such as 'Tecolote' and 'Bloomingdale' produce double flowers (not shown here).


  1. ^ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Ranunculus asiaticus