The Meadow Buttercup is abundant all over the country. It grows beside
the Daisy in every field and hedge-bank.
In this Buttercup the flower has five bright glossy yellow petals, which
open out flat and are not cup-shaped as in the Bulbous Buttercup.
There is a hard green knot of seed-vessels in the centre of the flower,
with a ring of yellow stamens all round it. When the yellow stamens and
petals fall off, this bunch of seed-vessels grows bigger and bigger,
until it looks like a small green raspberry.
Outside the yellow petals are five pale-green sepals. These remain close
behind the yellow flower and do not fold back against the stalk as in
the Bulbous Buttercup.
The flower-stalk is slightly hairy, but it is not grooved.
The green leaves are dark, and are covered with soft hairs. Each leaf is
divided into three parts, which are very deeply cut up all round the
edge.
You will easily recognise this Buttercup if you remember three things.