Ranunculus asiaticus, also known as Persian buttercup, is a cultivated ornamental species of the genus Ranunculus in the family Ranunculaceae. Common colors include shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, and white.
Visually, the flowers of ranunculus asiaticus are very similar to roses and can be difficult to distinguish. They can be identified by their buds, flower shape, and leaves:
The buds of ranunculus are globular;
The flowers are densely packed with overlapping petals that, unlike roses, retain a neatly rounded shape with less protruding petals;
The center of the flowers is very distinctive;
The flower stems have no thorns;
The leaves are deeply lobed, resembling many Ranunculaceae species, making them very different from rose leaves.
