Hispid Buttercup

(Ranunculus hispidus)

 

   

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Hispid Buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus Michx.)

Identification: Flowers large, with usually 5 waxy, yellow petals. Stems hairy. Leaves divided into 3 elongate segments, the apical segment borne on a stem. Plant 1 to 2 feet in height.

Distribution: Throughout eastern and central North America.

Habitat: Hispid Buttercup is found in moist woods, meadows, alluvial soils, and swamps.

Flowering period: March to May.

Similar Species: The distinctly three part leaves with elongate segments and the apical segment borne on a stem will usually identify this species.

Comments: A variety of Hispid Buttercup (commonly called Swamp Buttercup, Ranunculus septentrionalis) occurs on wet or swampy soils. This variety has longer leaf segments and the plant tends to recline along the ground rather than being erect.

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