[5][6] The plant's genus name comes from a Latin term rana, which means "frog", referring to the buttercup's typical moist and shaded habitats.

On the other hand, species' name lanuginosus derives from a Latin word lanugo, which is translated as "downy" and refers to the plant's stem, covered with a layer of fine hair.

[1][8] There are a few recognized varieties of this species:[1] Ranunculus lanuginosus is herbaceous and perennial buttercup that can reach from 30 to 80 centimetres of height.

Its basal leaves have long leafstalk and are palmately lobed; with five segments being ovate and hirsute, while having double serrated margin.

[10] R. lanuginosus is a native species of Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Bulgaria, Corsica, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Sardinia, Sicilia, Switzerland, Turkey (in Europe), Ukraine and former Yugoslavian countries.