Mendel’s Gardens

Ranunculus gramineus

Family RanunculaceaeGenus Ranunculus

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

Safety

Toxicity
Poisonous to cattle, goats, horses. All parts. Protoanemonin. Stated for Ranunculus spp.

The plant

Note
GA-3 killed the seed outright here, which is the opposite of its effect on R. lyallii.

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plants Poisonous to Livestock — Cornell University Department of Animal Science; Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno.

This source reports 4 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around November 17, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    Deno gives no length for this period; three months is his standard cycle.

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

    60%, over 3-7 weeks.

about 3 months from start to sowing. Then 49 days to germinate.

60% germination in 21–49 days.

The shortest route to the best figure. Light makes no difference either way.

This source doesn't state how long.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, RanunculusPublic domain
Show the original text
Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae). Germination was remarkably varied A. gramineus germ. 40(58% in 6-12 w)-70(9% in 4-12 d)-40(7%), 70-40(60% in 3-7 w), and 30% in late April and May in outdoor treatment. Light had no effect. Seeds treated with GA-3 were killed.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Ranunculus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 11, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

    58%, over 6-12 weeks.

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    A further 9%, in 4-12 days. Deno gives no length for this period; three months is his standard cycle.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

    A last 7%.

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 84 days to germinate.

58% germination in 42–84 days.

58% in the cold itself, then 9% and 7% over the two cycles after.

This source doesn't state how long.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, RanunculusPublic domain
Show the original text
Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae). Germination was remarkably varied A. gramineus germ. 40(58% in 6-12 w)-70(9% in 4-12 d)-40(7%), 70-40(60% in 3-7 w), and 30% in late April and May in outdoor treatment. Light had no effect. Seeds treated with GA-3 were killed.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Ranunculus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Up in late April and May.

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

30% germination.

Half what the bench gives, for none of the work.

This source doesn't state how long.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, RanunculusPublic domain
Show the original text
Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae). Germination was remarkably varied A. gramineus germ. 40(58% in 6-12 w)-70(9% in 4-12 d)-40(7%), 70-40(60% in 3-7 w), and 30% in late April and May in outdoor treatment. Light had no effect. Seeds treated with GA-3 were killed.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Ranunculus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993
  1. Gibberellic acid soak

    Seeds treated with GA-3 were killed.

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

No stated waiting before sowing.

0% germination.

GA-3 does not merely fail here -- it kills the seed outright.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, RanunculusPublic domain
Show the original text
Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae). Germination was remarkably varied A. gramineus germ. 40(58% in 6-12 w)-70(9% in 4-12 d)-40(7%), 70-40(60% in 3-7 w), and 30% in late April and May in outdoor treatment. Light had no effect. Seeds treated with GA-3 were killed.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Ranunculus. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record; the step names come from a fixed list.