Buttercup

Buttercup (Ranunculus repens):

There is a wide variety of Buttercups, all included in the genus Ranunculus. They are normally yellow in color, and contain 5 or 6 petals, along with a long smooth stem. Some species can appear red or orange in color. Although beautiful, they are toxic when eaten, and can cause a series of complications including blistering of the mouth. There is a thoughtful folklore surrounding the buttercup, which plays to its name; People sometimes hold buttercup to their chin, and if a yellow reflection appears on their chin, the person is said to “like butter”. This is a fun way to teach the reflective properties of a buttercup petal.