Ranunculus is a genus of about 600 species of plants in the Ranunculaceae. In many perennial species, runners are sent out that will develop new plants with roots and rosettes at the distanced nodes.
The leaves lack stipules, have stems, are palmately veined, entire, more or less deeply incised, or compound, and leaflets or leaf segments may be very fine and linear in aquatic species.
The hermaphrodite flowers are single or in a cyme, have usually five (but occasionally as few as three or as many as seven) mostly green sepals and usually five yellow, greenish, or white petals that are sometimes flushed with red, purple or pink (but the petals may be absent or have a different, sometimes much higher number).
At the base of each petal is usually one nectary gland that is naked or may be covered by a scale. Anthers may be few, but often many are arranged in a spiral, are yellow or sometimes white, and with yellow pollen.
The blooming time of ranunculus flowers varies depending on when the tubers are planted. Fall plantings of ranunculus come into bloom in March, while spring plantings will flower in late summer.
Either way, if the weather is dry and mild, the blooms may last for up to six weeks.
Growing Ranunculus flowers start with planted roots or tubers. Often called Ranunculus bulbs, tubers are different but have similar structures and purposes to the more common bulb. Plant the bulbs or tubers in fall for a glorious spring display.
Growing Ranunculus flowers requires well-drained soil and full sun for best results. Soak the tubers and then plant then with the roots or fingers pointed downward at a depth of 1 to 2 inches, depending on the size of the bulbs.