Favagello Buttercup
March 24, 2020
Photographer: Barbara Pindo
Summary Author: Barbara Pindo
While walking in the Anapo Valley, Italy, several weeks ago, I came upon this yellow flower: I was immediately struck by the brightness of its petals. Known as a favagello buttercup (Ranunculus ficaria), it’s fairly common along the edges of the streams throughout the valley. The genus Ranunculus includes numerous groups of plants, comprising over 400 species, native to the temperate and cold areas of the globe – almost 100 belong to the spontaneous Italian flora.
The favagello buttercup is beautiful to behold but contains anemonin (in addition to saponins and tannins) and is particularly toxic to animals (4-legged and 2-legged) that get to close to it. In fact, though I photographed it, I made sure I didn't touch the plant or the flower. Note that among the petals is a hostess, an ant, that regarded me as an invader. Photo taken on February 23, 2020.
Photo Details: Camera: NIKON COOLPIX L110; Software: Snapseed 2.0; Exposure Time: 0.024s (1/41); Aperture: ƒ/4.5; ISO equivalent: 80; Focal Length (35mm): 83.