Family: Ranunculaceae
celery-leaf buttercup, cursed crowfoot
Robert Wernerehl
Janice Stiefel
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Ranunculus: from Latin rana, "little frog," because many species tend to grow in moist places
Plants: erect, annual/perennial, 8"-20" tall forb; stems stout, hollow, smooth, branched toward the top
Leaves: basal and stem leaves much the same shape with the upper much smaller; kidney-shaped, deeply 3-parted with lobes again divided
Flowers: yellow, 5-parted, 1/4" wide, normally 5 sepals, petals shorter than the sepals; many solitary, stalked flowers; blooms April-June
Fruits: dry seeds in a short, cylindrical cluster
Habitat: wet; marshes, swamps, ditches
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, annual/perennial, 8"-20" tall forb; stems stout, hollow, smooth, branched toward the top
Leaves: basal and stem leaves much the same shape with the upper much smaller; kidney-shaped, deeply 3-parted with lobes again divided
Flowers: yellow, 5-parted, 1/4" wide, normally 5 sepals, petals shorter than the sepals; many solitary, stalked flowers; blooms April-June
Fruits: dry seeds in a short, cylindrical cluster
Habitat: wet; marshes, swamps, ditches
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Native
Ponds, marshes, along streams, beaches, lakeshores, alkaline rock shores of Lake Michigan, interdunal swales, mudflats, exposed lakebeds, floodplain forests of silver maple-swamp white oak and ash-elm, hardwood swamps, vernal pools in mesic woods, ditches, wet roadsides and railroad corridors, wet waste areas, wet fields. Sometimes forming pure stands in wet farm fields that have yet to be plowed.
This is a circumpolar species and some of our plants may be introduced from Eurasia. Often confused with R. abortivus but differing in its lobed lower leaves, cylindrical fruiting head, and preference for wet habitats. This species may occur as a true aquatic with some floating leaves when growing in ponds or shallow pools. Mostly found in the southeast and northward through the eastern part of the state into our northeastern counties; quite rare and local elsewhere.
This is a circumpolar species and some of our plants may be introduced from Eurasia. Often confused with R. abortivus but differing in its lobed lower leaves, cylindrical fruiting head, and preference for wet habitats. This species may occur as a true aquatic with some floating leaves when growing in ponds or shallow pools. Mostly found in the southeast and northward through the eastern part of the state into our northeastern counties; quite rare and local elsewhere.
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 3, Wetland Indicator = OBL USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key
Janice Stiefel
Robert Wernerehl
Botanical Illustration
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Aaron_Carlson
Derek Anderson
Aaron_Carlson
Janice Stiefel
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Flora.cyberia
Christopher Noll
