RANUNCULUS 
Ranunculus asiaticus, var. sanguineus , is the Turkey or Peony 
Ranunculus, and has unbranched stems, leaves divided into threes, the 
segments toothed and blunt. The flowers range in colour through all 
shades of purple, orange, and yellow, self-coloured or variegated. As they 
are always double and consequently sterile, sub-varieties can only arise 
by perpetuating “sports”; they are therefore few in number. K 
asiaticus, var. vulgaris, is the Persian Ranunculus, and its stem branches 
from the base. The three main divisions of the leaf are again divided 
into minor threes with acute tips. The flowers have a far greater range 
of colour than those of the last mentioned, all shades excepting blue 
being found in one or other of them. They are single, double or semi¬ 
double, and may be seifs, or streaked, striped, edged, or shaded with some 
other colour or tint. They thus present the most bewildering variety. 
It would be hard to say how many exist in the catalogues of the bulb- 
growers and florists, but so far back as 1778, Mawe, in his Universal 
Gardener and Botanist, declared that over a thousand varieties were 
named in florists’ lists. Many of these must have been rediscovered and 
renamed since then, but by considering the many colours that vulgaris 
exhibits, and the possible changes that may be rung upon them, it 
will be seen that a very long list is the natural result of such ancient 
cultivation. 
R. aconitifolius (aconite-leaved). White Bachelor’s Button. From 
Central Europe (1596). Plant from 6 to 24 inches, with branching stems 
and three- to five-lobed, toothed leaves. Flowers white, petals variable in 
form; May and June. The double varieties are known as Fair Maids of 
France. 
R cortusasfolius (cortusa - leaved). From Teneriffe (1826). 2 . 
feet. Stem branched. Root-leaves, kidney-shaped, slightly lobed, with 
large rounded teeth ( crenate ); stem-leaves almost stalkless, five-parted 
Flowers yellow; sepals spreading, petals lance-shaped; May. 
R. LINGUA (tongue). Spearwort. A native plant growing in marshy 
ground; 2 to 3 feet; the stem hollow, lower portion rooting at the joints. 
Leaves lance-shaped, 6 to 10 inches long, stalkless, clasping stem. 
Flowers yellow, 2 inches across; July to September. Should be planted 
on the edge of water. 
R. Lyalli (Lyall’s). New Zealand Water-lily. From New Zealand 
(1879). Stem branched, erect, 2 to 4 feet. Leaves round, concave, 
foot across, leathery; the leaf-stalk attached to centre of underside 
(peltate). Flowers white, 4 inches acrosa Requires the protection of a 
frame, except in the warmer parts of the country, where it thrives in a 
deep soil in a partially shaded position and flowers in summer. 
