The stems are 20–40 cm tall, erect, branching, and slightly hairy, with a swollen corm-like base.

[4] Bulbous buttercup grows in lawns, pastures and fields in general, preferring nutrient-poor, well-drained soils.

The bulbous buttercup gets its name from its distinctive perennating organ, a bulb-like swollen underground stem or corm, which is situated just below the soil surface.

[8] This plant, like other buttercups, contains the toxic glycoside ranunculin, which gives it a bitter, acid taste, so cases of poisoning in humans are rare.

[3] Pigs are unaffected by the toxin and eat bulbous buttercups avidly, being prepared to travel long distances to find them;[10] hence the folk name of the plant, St Antony's Turnip, after the patron saint of swineherds.