Day 248: Persian Buttercup

“If flowering bulbs are one of nature’s mysteries, watching the claw-like tuber of a ranunculus produce three dozen rosette-shaped flowers must be one of nature’s miracles. For sheer petal count, it’s hard to top the ranunculus, also known as the Persian buttercup. If you’ve seen them in flower arrangements, you’ve probably been tempted to flick your thumb across the flower’s surface as one would rifle through a voluminous book. However, this would bruise the tissue paper-thin petals of these delicate beauties. Ranunculus flowers are popular as wedding flowers, as they are inexpensive, showy, and long lasting as cut flowers.” To read more click here