Flower Power: Ranunculus

 

Here at The Branch, we deal with tons of different types of flowers. So, since we can’t possibly learn about all the flowers at once, we focus on one flower a week. At our weekly staff meetings, we take the time to learn how to process and care for our featured flower of the week.  This week, we are focusing on ranunculus. Here is some of the basic information our amazing production assistant, Javier, put together for us:

The name Ranunculus is Latin for “little frog,” the diminutive of rana. Rana refers to many species being found near water, like frogs. Ranunculus is a large genus of approximately 600 species of plants in the Ranunculaceae. Members include buttercups, spearworts, water crowfoots, and lesser celandine. Other species in our region include anemone, aguilegia, cimifuga, clematis, delphinium, helleborus, nigella, thalictrum, trollius, and the ranunculus. Ranunculus bloom from May to August. They prefer cool weather and full sun.

They are large, brilliantly-colored flowers that resemble round globes composed of a myriad of petals with the texture of paper. They have the further distinction of purple-black anthers rising from the blooms center.

They come in a variety of colors such as white, cream, yellow, orange, red, purple, and pink.

Broadly speaking, ranunculus are frost-hardy cool-season perennials. They perform best where winters are relatively mild and springs are long and cool. The roots tolerate soil temperatures to 10°F, while growing plants can handle temperatures below 20°F for several hours. Ranunculus are most popular in the mild-winter regions of the South and West, in states such as California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana where they grow best. Planted there in October or November, they flower in March.

Some tips for when you are caring for Ranunculus:

• To prevent bending, store upright.
• They are ethylene sensitive. Things containing ethylene are fruit, cigarettes, vehicle exhaust, and dead flower and plant debris.
• Give them a fresh cut, about 1”-3” of the stem.
• Remove leaves that will be below the water line.
• They can last indoors for about 7 days after cutting.
• You should store in a cooler between 33-35degrees F.
• Try to change water everyday!

Caution: The ranunculus species are poisonous when eaten fresh by cattle, horses, and other livestock. When handled by humans the naturally occurring chemical is broken down to protoanemonin, which can cause dermatitis. Make sure to handle with care! 

For more flower information, head over to our Pinterest page!