Ranunculus abortivus (Smooth-Leaved Buttercup) - photos and description
Two plants side by side in above photo.
Sepals reflexed, often purple-tinged.
Stem leaf in above photo.
Basal leaf in above photo
General: Erect plants branching towards the top, having small yellow flowers. Stems glabrous to pubescent.
Flowers: Flowers solitary, on peduncles from upper leaf axils, small, we measured a flower at 8 mm diameter, and petals to 3 mm long. Sepals are reflexed, often purple-tinged, we measured a sepal to 3 mm long.
Leaves: Basal leaves have long petioles, are orbicular to reniform, with a cordate base, crenate. Basal leaf highlighted in photo above was 26 mm long by 30 mm wide. Stem leaves are alternate, 3-5 parted into linear-lanceolate lobes. We measured the lobe from a large stem leaf at 37 mm long by 8 mm wide
Height: Height is listed in Budd's Flora to 50 cm, we measured plants to 28 cm.
Habitat: Open woods and wet meadows.
Abundance: Common.
Origin: Native.
How to identify this species of Ranunculus: Basal leaves reniform in outline, more or less cordate at their base (Budd's Flora), petals about 2 mm (Taxonomic Reminder for Recognizing Saskatchewan Plants).
When and where photographed: Took the above photos May 30th, edge of a forest trail, Cypress Hills, about 400 km southwest of Regina, SK, and June 14th edge of forest trail, rich mixed woods, Duck Mountain Provincial park, about 300 km northeast of our home in Regina, SK.