Definition

Noun 1. A perennial European herb of the buttercup family: Ranunculus acris is the scientific name for a specific species of flowering plant commonly known as the meadow buttercup or tall buttercup. It is characterized by its bright yellow flowers and deeply divided leaves.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The field was a sea of yellow, dotted with thousands of Ranunculus acris. (The field was covered in meadow buttercups.)
  • Botanists study Ranunculus acris to understand its role in the ecosystem. (Scientists examine the meadow buttercup.)
  • Unlike some buttercups, Ranunculus acris prefers drier meadows. (This specific species favors different habitats.)

Advanced Usage

• In Botanical Classification: The name is used in its full binomial form () to specify this exact species within the genus , distinguishing it from others like (creeping buttercup).
  • The specimen was keyed out and confirmed to be Ranunculus acris.

Variants and Related Words

• Common Name: Meadow buttercup, Tall buttercup, Common buttercup.
• Genus: (the larger group containing all buttercups).
• Family: Ranunculaceae (the buttercup family).

Synonyms

• Meadow buttercup
• Tall buttercup
• Common buttercup

Notes on Meaning

• Scientific vs. Common Name: is the precise, formal Latin name used globally in science. "Meadow buttercup" is its common English name, which may refer to this species or be used more loosely for similar-looking plants.
• Toxicity: Like many plants in its family, contains compounds that can be toxic if ingested by humans or livestock.

Noun

1. perennial European buttercup with yellow spring flowers widely naturalized especially in eastern North America