Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris), fam. Ranunculaceae.
Occurs in wet places of the forest (the latin name means "little frog"). The leaves vary in shape from widely pinnate at the base to thin, barely visible on the sceleton-like branched shoot. This plant is toxic; its active substance is protoanemonin, which is irritating on the mucosa and the skin. So, it is better not to pick this plant, as its juice may cause burns. It is also dangerous for animals. In dry state, buttercup loses its acrid properties; however, the medicinal value is lost, too. The latter is represented by the low-doses (homeopathic) preparations, stimulating the central nervous system, increasing hemoglobin, having antibacterial and antifungal action.
Meadow Buttercup is not a very common species to grow in garden beds. However, it has a double-flowered cultivar, that can be sometimes seen in the city.
