Creeping Buttercup (Herbaceous Perennial - Not a Tree)
Ranunculus repens · Herbaceous Perennial (Broadleaf)
Plant Family
Ranunculaceae
Tree Category
Wildflower / Groundcover / Herbaceous Perennial
Variety / Cultivar
None (Wild variety)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3 through 9.
About This Tree
This is a low-growing, spreading herbaceous perennial, not a tree. It forms dense mats via runners (stolons) that root at the nodes. It features glossy yellow flowers with 5 to 7 petals and deeply lobed green foliage.
Leaf Characteristics
Compound leaves with three leaflets that are deeply lobed and serrated. Leaves are often dark green with occasional pale spots or blotches.
Bark Characteristics
Not applicable (Herbaceous stems are smooth, green, and often hairy, but do not produce bark).
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa; widely naturalized in North America.
Growing Season
Leaves emerge in early spring; flowers generally appear from mid-spring through late summer. It remains green until heavy frosts.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers partial shade to full sun. Thrives in moist, poorly drained, or heavy clay soils. Moderate to high water needs.
Mature Size
Height: 6 to 12 inches when flowering; Spread: Indefinite via creeping stolons.
Special Characteristics
Extreme spread via runners; highly invasive in lawns and gardens; sap can be irritating to skin and is toxic if ingested by livestock.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nectar for bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. Dense foliage can provide cover for small invertebrates, but it is often considered a weed that displaces native flora.