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Ranunculus lingua (Greater spearwort)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
2m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Ranunculus lingua
Other names
Greater spearwort, Water buttercup, Tongue-leaved Crowfoot
Genus
Ranunculus Ranunculus
Species
R. lingua - R. lingua is an upright, aquatic perennial with erect, hollow stems. Foliage stems bear long-stalked, heart-shaped, blue-green leaves and branched flowering stems bear linear, blue-green leaves and panicles of cup-shaped, golden yellow flowers in early summer.
Ranunculus lingua is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming
Toxicity
Sap may cause skin irritation.
Flower
Yellow in Summer
Foliage
Blue-green in Spring; Blue-green in Summer; Blue-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Slugs , Snails Aphids , Slugs , Snails
Powdery mildew Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Cut back after flowering.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Ranunculus lingua (Greater spearwort) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 2m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Aquatic, Bog garden, Low Maintenance, Waterside, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Best grown in mud at a pond margin or in water 15-25cm deep. Can grow in slow moving or still water.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Pond/In water
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Ranunculus lingua
Other names
Greater spearwort, Water buttercup, Tongue-leaved Crowfoot
Genus
Ranunculus Ranunculus
Species
R. lingua - R. lingua is an upright, aquatic perennial with erect, hollow stems. Foliage stems bear long-stalked, heart-shaped, blue-green leaves and branched flowering stems bear linear, blue-green leaves and panicles of cup-shaped, golden yellow flowers in early summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming
Toxicity
Sap may cause skin irritation.
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Colour
Flower
Yellow in Summer
Foliage
Blue-green in Spring; Blue-green in Summer; Blue-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Cut back after flowering.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Ranunculus lingua (Greater spearwort)
Common pest name
Scientific pest name
Hyalesthes obsoletus
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
General biosecurity comments
Planthopper which can vector the pathogen causing Potato stolbur disease. Present elsewhere in Europe and increasing its range due to a new a nettle-preferring race. Main breeding hosts are not traded as planting material; but some minor hosts (e.g. Lavender) are.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
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Where to grow
Ranunculus lingua (Greater spearwort) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 2m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Aquatic, Bog garden, Low Maintenance, Waterside, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Best grown in mud at a pond margin or in water 15-25cm deep. Can grow in slow moving or still water.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Pond/In water
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Boggy damp conditions, Pond/In water | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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