The Goldilocks buttercup differs from other buttercups in that the flowers are often misshapen, with small or missing petals, or sometimes additional petals. The plant is asexual, and so is unable to correct genetic mutations, therefore the more well-established the plant, the more mutations it is likely to have. This provides a method of dating meadows.

Technical Information Perennial herb, 30 cm tall Leaves: basal leaves rounded, kidney-shaped or deeply 3-lobed; stem leaves with 3-6 narrow divisions Flowers: golden-yellow, 15-25mm across. Flowers often with small or missing petals Fruit: slightly hairy achenes Flowering time: April-June Habitat: Damp woodlands or grasslands Distribution: Locally frequent, less common in North