Adder's-tongue Spearwort
EN

Adder's-tongue Spearwort

Ranunculus ophioglossifolius

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranunculus_ophioglossifolius

Overview

Ranunculus ophioglossifolius, known as adder's-tongue spearwort, is a herbaceous plant in the family Ranunculaceae, with small, bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers.

Adder's-tongue Spearwort faces severe decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification, drainage of wetlands, and urban development. The species' specialized requirements for temporary shallow water bodies make it particularly vulnerable to hydrological changes and land use conversion.

Threat summary

Habitat

Ranunculus ophioglossifolius is found widely in southern Europe (especially in Sardinia), North Africa (including Macaronesia) and western Asia. In 1957, it was introduced to New Zealand. In the British Isles, it is now restricted to two sites, and in Scandinavia, it is only found at a few sites on the island of Gotland.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Ranunculaceae

Tiny MousetailVU

Tiny Mousetail

Myosurus minimus

Unknown
Lesser Meadow-rueVU

Lesser Meadow-rue

Thalictrum minus

Unknown
Corn ButtercupCR

Corn Buttercup

Ranunculus arvensis

Unknown
Yellow Woodland ThimbleweedEN

Yellow Woodland Thimbleweed

Anemone ranunculoides

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Adder's-tongue Spearwort classified as Endangered?
Adder's-tongue Spearwort is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Adder's-tongue Spearwort faces severe decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification, drainage of wetlands, and urban development. The species' specialized requirements for temporary shallow water bodies make it particularly vulnerable to hydrological changes and land use conversion.
Where does Adder's-tongue Spearwort live?
Adder's-tongue Spearwort occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Adder's-tongue Spearwort?
The main threats to Adder's-tongue Spearwort are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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