Etymology: Ranunculus: from Latin rana, "little frog," because many species tend to grow in moist places
Plants: erect, perennial, 10"-40" tall, hairy forb
Leaves: basal and stem leaves much the same shape, mostly found below the middle of the stem, kidney-shaped, deeply 3 lobed then cut or toothed
Flowers: yellow, 5-parted, 2/3"-1 1/4" wide, normally 5 sepals, shiny petals broadly obovate and twice as long as the sepals; blooms May-Oct.
Fruits: dry seeds in roundish cluster
Habitat: moist; disturbed sites
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized

Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Wetland Indicator = FACW- USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"