In the 1660s a traveler named Sir John Chardin toured the legendary paradise gardens of Persia and was captivated. One of the flowers he saw there appeared to be a form of the native English buttercup Ranunculus acris) but in a dazzling array of different colors that completely charmed him. Reasoning that a near relative would enjoy moving to an environment where its cousin flourished in every field, he arranged to have some of the plants packed up and shipped back to England.

Ranunculus are part of a group of plants that do indeed include the buttercup, and they were an immediate success. Their arrival in England coincided with the start of the flower societies that were soon to sweep the country in the quest for variety; competitive perfection and general good gardening entertainment. The new ranunculus was located upon with enthusiasm and, by the start of the eighth century was already being broadly bred and hybridized just forty-odd years after its discovery.

By the end of the century there were more than eight hundred varieties of ranunculus. It had almost become the tulip of its day, so huge was its popularity and so great the quest for new, ever more exciting varieties. Little wonder then that it was agreed meanings that suited its popular cult status: rich and various in attractions, radiant with charms. It had become the pop icon of a pop-less world and everyone wanted to know and grow this flower.

The epilogue to this tale is not such a happy one. The Persian anunculus really preferred its original home and, having been bred and interbred, became sickly and developed an unfortunate reputation for being difficult to grow. The plants had fallen from grace by the end of the nineteenth century; a place in the flower dictionaries was the only remaining hint of their former glory.