If you want to plant the water crowfoot, you should have at least studied the plant a little beforehand. Otherwise you could be very disappointed. The following profile provides you with the most important information.
What are the characteristics of the water crowfoot?
The water buttercup (Ranunculus aquatilis) is a perennial aquatic plant from the buttercup family. It grows in ponds, ditches and moorland forests and requires a location in full sun to partial shade. The flowering period extends from May to August, and the plant is poisonous and oxygenating.
Short and sweet – a profile with the most important facts
- Plant family: Buttercup family
- Latin name: Ranunculus aquatilis
- Plant group: aquatic plants
- Origin: native plant, widespread almost worldwide
- Occurrence: ponds, ditches, moorland forests
- Lifespan: perennial
- Growth: creeping, long shoots, flat
- Leaves: green, alternate
- Flowering period: May to August
- Flower: cup-shaped, white-yellow
- Location: full sun to partial shade
- Water depth: 20 to 100 cm
- Propagation: division, sowing
- Special features: toxic, oxygenating
Where the crowfoot prefers to grow
You will mainly find the water crowfoot where it is wet. This can be in Germany as well as in other parts of the world. It has a wide distribution area.
This plant is well suited for stagnant and slow-flowing water. It is often used for planting larger garden ponds. It acts as a natural water purifier. The water crowfoot prefers nutrient-rich waters with a muddy, humus-rich bottom. It is hardy and loves lime.
This is what it looks like in detail
The crowfoot grows to an average height of between 10 and 50 cm. It spreads out flat. Its roots are under water and so are some of its leaves. Some leaves float on the surface of the water. The flowers do the same with their long stems.
The green foliage is arranged alternately around the long shoots. It is evergreen, glabrous and stalked. The submerged leaves, the diving leaves, look thread-like and divided into hair-thin pieces. On the other hand, the floating leaves, which are up to 2 cm wide, are round and triple-lobed.
In early summer - around May - the flowers of the water crowfoot appear. They are present on the water surface or just above it until August. They are 2 cm wide. Five free-standing petals set the tone. They are colored white. A yellow color shines from the center of the radiant, hermaphrodite and radially symmetrical flowers.
Tip
Caution: The plant juices from the water crowfoot can cause skin irritation. It is therefore better to wear gloves when handling them and never consume any parts of the plant! The plant is poisonous!
