Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)- Introduction

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RANUNCULACEAE 
(Buttercup family)



This family is represented by about 50 genera and 1900 species of generally, annual or perennial herbs. These are chiefly distributed in the temperate regions of Northern Hemisphere. Eastern Asia and eastern North America are the regions of their most common occurrence. Some species occur in Arctic and Alpine zones. 20 genera and over 165 species of this family have been reported from India. 
Some selected Indian genera are: 
  • Ranunculus, 
  • Delphinium, 
  • Aconitum, 
  • Actaea, 
  • Aquilegia, 
  • Anemone, 
  • Caltha, 
  • Clematis, 
  • Helleborus, 
  • Nigella, 
  • Paeonia, 
  • Thelictrum.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

Ranunculaceae are important as ornamental and drug plants. They are mostly poisonous owing to presence of alkaloids.

Ornamentals

Ranunculus


 
Many Ranunculaceae have showy flowers and are grown as ornamentals in our gardens. Some of such ornamentals with their common name are: 
    • Aconitum napellus (Aconite), 
    • Anemone parviflora (Wind flower), 
    • Aquilegia coerulia (Columbine), 
    • Caltha palustris (Marsh marigold), 
    • Clematis Virginiana (Travellers joy), 
    • Clematis vitlaba (Virgins bower), 
    • Delphinium abacus (Larkspur), 
    • Helleborus (Christmas rose), 
    • Nigella damascena (Love-in-a-mist), 
    • Paeonia modi (Peony), 
    • Ranunculus (Buttercup eg. R. asiaticus, R. muricatus, R. repens etc.) and 
    • Thalictrum alpinum (Meadow-rue). 
    • Species of Anemone, Clematis, Delphinium, Ranunculus and Thalictrum are available in a wide range of colours and forms.

Medicinal uses

Large number of plants of this family are of medicinal value. Some are as follows:
    1. Aconitum napellus roots are the source of aconite, used as a nerve sedative and for rheumatism. Its dried roots are used to cure mild heart palpitation and gastritis. Deadly poisonous alkaloid, obtained from A. ferox may cause death, but is useful in snake bites.
    2. Actaea spicata roots are used as nerve sedative.
    3. Adonis aestivatis and A. scorbiculata roots are used as heart stimulant.
    4. Anemone pulsatilla is the source of homeopathic drug "pulsatilla" used to cure nervous disorders in women during menstrual periods.
    5. Clematis triloba leaves are used to cure snake bites.
    6. Coptis teeta roots are used in brain and liver disorders as well as in toothache and sore eyes.
    7. Delphinium ajacis and D. elatum seeds are insecticidal while roots of D. denudatum are effective in toothache. Seeds, leaves and roots of D. zatil are used to cure jaundice and spleen. D. vestitum seeds are useful in cardiac disorders.
    8. Helleborus niger flowers are given in form of syrup to mentally sick persons. This species is also useful in chronic skin infections.
    9. Nigella sativa (Vern. kalonji or kala zeera) seeds are used as common condiment as well as in treatment of cough, asthma and fever.
    10. Paeonia officinalis tubers are used to cure colic and uterus disorders.
    11. Ranunculus muricatus and R. arvensis juice is used in irregular fever. R. aquatilis and R. arvensis leaves and flowers are used to cure asthema and rheumatism. R. falcatus is poisonous and causes skin blisters.
    12. Thalictrum foliolosum roots are used as diuretic, purgative and tonic.

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