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Ranunculus acris

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Also known as: Meadow buttercup; Double buttercup

Plant folklore: Said to give a brighter yellow colour to butter.
On May Day, the Irish used to rub buttercups onto cows udders, a tradition to supposedly encourage milk production. In some places this tradition continues.
If a buttercup held beneath your chin casts a reflection against the flesh, you are fond of buutter. Victorians believed it stood for ingratitude and childishness. Some folklore believes yellow to be an evil colour and hence, gives the plant an evil side.

Factual info: Poisonous, hence cattle tend not to eat it.

Image taken by Grammazoo

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Comments

 

I can still remember holding a buttercup under my daughters chin when she was younger.

22 Nov, 2009

 

We did this as children....many years ago....lol

22 Nov, 2009

 

Too many to remember like me eh Lol.

22 Nov, 2009

 

I too can remember doing it and still do with my grand children. I can quite believe it to be evil as in my book it states the meaning of a yellow rose is insincerity to wards a person.

22 Nov, 2009

 

Yes - I think we all did it!

22 Nov, 2009

 

me too Spritz

22 Nov, 2009

 

Me aswell did it. many moons ago.

23 Nov, 2009

 

me too,but they are nice memories, aren't they?

23 Nov, 2009

 

i remember the buttercup and chin thing to :o) and use to do it with my boys

23 Nov, 2009

 

I suppose it's one of those little traditions that gets passed down through the generations!

23 Nov, 2009

 

I didn't know it was poisonous

24 Nov, 2009

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