Family: Ranunculaceae
creeping buttercup
[Ranunculus repens var. erectus L., more...]
Elizabeth Parnis
Merel R. Black
Etymology: Ranunculus: from Latin rana, "little frog," because many species tend to grow in moist places
Plants: drooping to creeping perennial, 5"-10" tall forb; stems arching back to the ground and occasionally rooting at the node
Leaves: basal and stem leaves much the same shape with basal the largest; mostly 3-parted into deep lobes which are then cut or toothed
Flowers: yellow, 5-8-parted, 1" wide, normally 5 sepals reflexed just above the base, petal widest above the middle and the same to 2 times as long as the sepal; solitary, stalked flowers; blooms May-June
Fruits: dry seed with almost winged margin, lance-shaped mostly straight beak
Habitat: wet; lowlands forests, meadows
Plants: drooping to creeping perennial, 5"-10" tall forb; stems arching back to the ground and occasionally rooting at the node
Leaves: basal and stem leaves much the same shape with basal the largest; mostly 3-parted into deep lobes which are then cut or toothed
Flowers: yellow, 5-8-parted, 1" wide, normally 5 sepals reflexed just above the base, petal widest above the middle and the same to 2 times as long as the sepal; solitary, stalked flowers; blooms May-June
Fruits: dry seed with almost winged margin, lance-shaped mostly straight beak
Habitat: wet; lowlands forests, meadows
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 0, Wetland Indicator = FACW+ USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
Kurt Stüber
Elizabeth Parnis
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Christopher Noll