Ranunculus acris Crowfoot (Ranunculaceae)

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Ranunculus acris
Crowfoot
(1 Page of 5)

The Ranunculus acris plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Ranunculaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Crowfoot. Some home gardeners know the variety as R. acer.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
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Latin Name:  Ranunculus acris
Common Name:  Crowfoot
Family:  Ranunculaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  All parts of the plant are poisonous, the toxins can be destroyed by heat or by drying[4, 10, 13, 19, 62, 65]. The plant has a strongly acrid juice that can cause blistering to the skin[65, 183].

Mature Height:  1   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Damp meadows, usually on calcareous soils[4, 17].

Medicinal Information: The whole plant is acrid, anodyne, antispasmodic, diaphoretic and rubefacient[4, 21]. The plant has been crushed and applied as a poultice to the chest to relieve colds and chest pains[257]. The fresh leaves have been used as a rubefacient in the treatment of rheumatism etc[222]. The flowers and the leaves have been crushed and sniffed as a treatment for headaches[257]. An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea[257]. The poulticed root is also rubefacient and was applied to boils and abscess[222, 257]. The plant sap has been used to remove warts[4]. The sap has also been used as a sedative[257]. The flowers are used in Tibetan medicine, where they are considered to have an acrid taste and a heating potency[241]. Their use is said to promote heat, dissolve tumours and draw out serous fluids[241]. They are used in the treatment of disorders brought about by rotting sores or wounds[241]. Use with caution[21], the whole plant is extremely acrid and can cause intense pain and burning of the mouth, mucous membranes etc[222].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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