Upoffmebum

By Upoffmebum

Ranunculus

What can I say? Enormous range of brilliant colours, even more enormous range of species - up to 600 of them, including annuals, biennials, and perennials, many of which have been cultivated for use in suburban gardens.
Interesting that ranunculus is Latin for "little frog", named by Roman statesman Pliny due to the wet conditions in which they're often found.
But delicate and intricate though they look, they're actually quite tough little critters, and grow really well in a wide range of environmental and soil conditions - as long as the soil doesn't freeze.
So much so that some species have now been categorised as invasive weeds in some regions. (A common fate for many decorative plants, it seems, but a rather handsome, even striking weed, I would think. I mean, who or what would be the victim of a full-scale ranunculus invasion?)
Mind you, tell that to the hungry livestock who might hoe into some of the wild species as a last resort. 
Turns out they're quite toxic, and symptoms include bloody diaorrhea, excessive salivation, colic, and severe blistering of the mouth, mucous membranes and gastrointestinal tract. Ouch!
If humans are silly enough to handle these species for a prolonged period, they risk getting a nasty case of contact dermatitis. 
Beauty and the Beast.

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