BUTTERCUP 



As the procession of the flowers moves on its ap- 

 pointed way, in the high-tide of the floral year comes the 

 Buttercup associated with the Daisies and the Clovers. 

 There have been earlier Buttercups, the Buttercup 

 of dry woodlands that 

 bloomed in April, 

 the Buttercup of 

 moist lowlands, com- 

 panion of the flowers 

 of early spring, but 

 the Buttercup of lit- 

 erature, the Buttercup 

 that sways with the 

 Daisies and dances in 

 the wind of the up- 

 land meadows, the 

 Buttercup that is part 

 of the childish test 

 that one likes butter 

 is Ranunculus acris, a 

 citizen of the wide, 

 wdde w^orld. The color 

 of this brilliant cup is 

 luminous against the light or with the light, it is mar- 

 vellously, gloriously yellow, a wonder of color. 



The study of the opening of a Buttercup flower is 

 most interesting as it shows the blossom's plan for 

 cross-fertilization. As the petals expand the stamens, 

 a Httle bunch of yellow baUs, are huddled together in 

 the heart of the flower, surrounding and covering a 

 Httle green ball of unawakened pistils. The outer cir- 

 cle of stamens spreads out, the anthers give up their 

 pollen, the tiny pit at the base of each petal is full of 



67 



Buttercup. Ranunculus dcris 



