A temperate plant of a genus that includes the buttercups and water crowfoots, typically having yellow or white bowl-shaped flowers and lobed or toothed leaves.
Genus Ranunculus, family Ranunculaceae: many species, including several garden ornamentals
‘Oddly, Hopkins makes perfectly realistic graphite drawings of anemones, tulips and ranunculuses that have the delicacy of drypoint etching; he also paints straightforward Japanese watercolor ‘portraits’ of flowers.’
‘Plant the last of the bulbs, like amaryllis, anemones, callas and ranunculus.’
‘Spring-planted ranunculus will bloom in June or July.’
‘Other flowers featured in the magazine included daisies and daffodils, jonquils and jasmines, roses and ranunculus, and hundreds of others.’
‘In place of hyacinth, try violets, sweet pea, pansies, or even grass; spray roses will work well in place of the ranunculus.’
Origin
Modern Latin, from Latin, literally ‘little frog’, diminutive of rana.
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