Origin
Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray, commonly known as Creeping Buttercup, is a perennial plant species that belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. The plant is native to North America, particularly in the eastern regions of the continent, and can be found in various habitats such as meadows, streambanks, and wetlands.
Common Names
Creeping Buttercup is the most common name used to refer to Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray. The plant is also referred to as Creeping Spearwort due to its lance-shaped leaves that are pointed at the tip.
Uses
Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray has some medicinal properties that have been used traditionally to relieve pain or treat rheumatism and gout. However, the plant can be toxic if ingested in large quantities, causing poisoning symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Creeping Buttercup is not considered a desirable plant in lawns or gardens due to its aggressive spreading habit. Its deep and extensive roots make it difficult to control, and the plant can quickly take over an area and compete with other plants for resources.
General Appearance
Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray is a low-growing plant that typically reaches a height of 10-30 cm. It has a creeping or prostrate growth habit, with stems that root at nodes and form spreading mats. The leaves are lance-shaped with toothed edges and are arranged alternately on the stems. The flowers are bright yellow and have five petals, each measuring around 1 cm in diameter. The plant blooms from May to July and produces numerous small achenes that are dispersed by wind or water.
Light Requirements
Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray requires bright light, but it does not tolerate direct sunlight. It is best to place the plant in a location that receives partial shade, especially during the afternoon.
Temperature Requirements
It is native to cold regions and prefers cooler temperatures ranging from 13°C to 21°C. The plant will die if subjected to frost or freezing temperatures. It is advisable to keep the plant in cool temperatures to promote healthy growth and blooming.
Soil Requirements
The soil should be well-draining, slightly acidic, and rich in organic matter. Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray thrives in sandy loam soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Adding a small amount of perlite to the soil can increase drainage, which is necessary to avoid root rot.
Cultivation of Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray
Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray prefers full sunlight to partial shade and well-drained soil. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-8.
To maximize growth and ensure a healthy plant, choose a planting site with loamy, well-drained soil. This species prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH level of 5.6-6.0.
You can propagate Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray from seeds or vegetatively. Seeds typically sprout within 10-14 days if soil temperatures stay around 60°F (15°C). If you plan to propagate the plant vegetatively, stem cuttings taken from nodes in the spring can root easily if kept in moist soil.
Watering Needs of Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray
Watering should be done when the soil is dry to the touch, typically once a week. Dry soil can cause the leaves to wilt and the plant to underperform or die. Overwatering, however, can lead to root rot. Hence it is recommended to have a balance of watering to sustain healthy growth.
Fertilizing Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray
During the growing season, use a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10. Use half the recommended strength every two weeks. Over-fertilizing can harm the plant.
Pruning Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray
Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray can be pruned in early spring before new growth emerges. Cut back any dead or damaged foliage and trim back the tips of each stem to encourage new growth.
Propagation of Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray
Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray, commonly known as creeping buttercup, can be propagated through various methods such as seed, division, and cutting.
Seed propagation
The best time to sow the seeds of Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray is in the spring or autumn. The seeds should be sown in well-drained soil. They should be covered with a thin layer of soil and watered frequently. The seeds usually germinate within 2-4 weeks. Once the seedlings have grown to a height of 2-3 inches, they can be transplanted to their permanent location.
Division propagation
Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray can also be propagated through division. This method involves separating the plant into smaller sections and replanting them in different locations. The best time to divide the plants is in early spring or autumn. The clumps should be carefully dug up and the individual sections separated with a sharp knife. Each section should have at least one healthy shoot and a good root system. The sections can then be replanted in well-drained soil.
Cutting propagation
Propagation through cutting is another viable option for Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray. The best time to take cuttings is in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be taken from the tips of the plant and should be about 6 inches long. The lower leaves should be removed, and the cuttings should be dipped in rooting hormone. The cuttings can then be planted in well-draining soil. It is important to keep the soil moist and to provide the cuttings with partial shade until they have established roots.
Disease management
Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray is susceptible to various fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases. The most common diseases that affect this plant include powdery mildew, Fusarium wilt, crown rot, and septoria leaf spot. To manage these diseases, it is important to practice good cultural practices, including proper watering and fertilization, pruning infected parts, and controlling the spread of disease through sanitation practices.
In case of powdery mildew infection, the leaves exhibit white powdery growth. To manage the disease, one can apply fungicides containing sulfur, horticultural oil, or potassium bicarbonate. For Fusarium wilt infection signs such as wilting, yellowing, stunting or dieback of the plant should be monitored. However, there are no known treatments for the Fusarium wilt, and the best approach is to remove the infected plant, sanitize pruning tools, and avoid replanting in infected soil.
Crown rot infection results in the collapse and rotting of the stem and roots. The disease can be controlled by regularly removing infected plants and disinfecting pots and tools before a new plant is grown. Septoria leaf spot, which is characterized by the appearance of small brown spots on leaves that enlarge into irregular shapes, can be managed by controlling plant density, using balanced fertilization, and avoiding overhead watering.
Pest management
Ranunculus reptans L. var. ovalis (Bigelow) Torr. & Gray can be attacked by various pests, which include mites, thrips, aphids, slugs, and snails. To manage the pest infestations, it is important to regularly inspect the plants, use appropriate insecticides, and create an unfavorable environment for the pests to thrive.
Aphids, which feed on the plant's sap, cause the slowdown of plant growth and the yellowing of leaves. Aphids can be controlled by removing them physically by spraying them with water or applying an insecticidal soap. Mites, which cause stippling and bronzing of leaves, can be managed by keeping the plants well-watered and utilizing pesticides such as neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Slugs and snails are common pests that feed on the plants’ leaves and stem, leaving them with irregularly shaped holes. To control slug and snail populations, one can handpick the pests, ensure that the garden is free of debris and plant materials that can harbor pests, or use bait strategies such as applying iron phosphate or metaldehyde.
Thrips are small insects that feed on the plant's sap and cause the curling of leaves. Managing these pests can be done by using a systemic insecticide and avoiding over-fertilizing the plants, as overfertilization predisposes the plant to thrips attack.
