Buttercup

a large group of flowering herbs. The Latin name, Ranunculus, little frog, perhaps refers to the wet places in which many kinds grow. Another name, crowfoot, has, no doubt, reference to the shape of the five-toed leaves of the most common species. Buttercup comes from the yellow color and cup-shape of the flower. The English buttercup is the plant children hold under each others' chins to see by the yellow glow "whether they love butter." Buttercups have a simple flower, in that all parts of the flower grow entirely distinct. There are over two hundred kinds. The garden buttercup originated in Asia. Some of our native buttercups are aquatic and have thread-like leaves. The tall buttercup, a visitor from Europe, and a plague in pastures, has established itself in New England and around the western end of Lake Superior. Buttercups are usually yellow--sometimes white. The marsh marigold, virgin's bower, clematis, anemone, pasque flower with its hairy "goslings," columbine, and even the larkspur, all belong to the crowfoot family.