Ranunculus ophioglossifolius
Adder’s-tongue Spearwort

A pretty plant with small, bright yellow buttercup-like flowers. The leaves are pointed oval, quite unlike ordinary buttercup leaves, and it grows in wet or marshy places, often round the edges of field ponds.

It used to grow in parts of southern England and has always been rather rare, but is now found at only two sites in Gloucestershire.

It is principally threatened by loss of grazing on pastures and commons, loss of muddy ponds, or overgrazing and excessive trampling too early in the year. Climate change with drier winters also causes drying out of small ponds.

Classified as Vulnerable and protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.