Creeping spearwort is a herbaceous perennial in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to Eurasia and North America. It does not occur naturally in North Carolina. The specific epithet is Latin for “little flame,” and likely refers to the appearance of the bright yellow flowers. This plant can need moist or wet conditions; it can even grow as an emergent or floating aquatic plant. It grows in full sun or partial shade, and is fully winter-hardy. Creeping spearwort is found along lakeshores, pond margins, and other shallow water. When growing in the water, it spreads along or just beneath the surface. Stems creep along the ground and root at the nodes, a habit that creates a dense, tangled mat of stems and leaves. The tiny flowers grow on short, erect stalks. Each flower typically has 5 egg-shaped petals but may have as few as four or as many as 11. The center of the flower has numerous yellow stamens surrounding green styles. Spreading sepals are found just below the petals, and they are sometimes slightly pubescent. The flowers attract pollinators. Creeping spearwort is a good choice for a riparian or rain garden or a wet site in a pollinator garden. It should be grown as a ground cover and allowed to spread. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. More information on Ranunculus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear; Ovate; Spatulate
Leaf margin
Entire; Lobed; Serrate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Its dark green oval leaves are semi-prostrate. the surface is smooth or may have fine hairs (pubescent).
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Showy
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small bright yellow flowers, up to ⅓ inch in diameter. Solitary flower on a slender 2- to 3-inch stalk. Each flower will have 5 egg-shaped petals, although some may have as few as 4 or as many as 11 petals. There are many yellow stamens gathered around green styles in the middle.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Stem color
Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Reddish stems up to 16" in length creep along the ground.
Ingestion causes burning of the mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting, depression, anorexia, hypersalivation, wobbly gait, and bloody diarrhea. Skin redness, burning sensation, and blisters following contact with cell sap. All parts are poisonous when fresh. Heat or drying will destroy the toxins.