CELERY-LEAVED CROWFOOT
Ranunculus sceleratus
BUTTERCUP FAMILY (Ranunculaceae)
Identification
- Flowering time - April, May, June
- Uncommon in or near water on floodplains at FF and NW
- Small yellow flower with 5 petals and bulbous green center
- 3 lobed "celery-like" lower leaves
- Oval petals
This native and introduced annual grows up to 18 inches tall in wet soil or in water, either floating on top (D) or submerged. The lower leaves have three leaflets which are lobed (C,E); the upper ones are oblong and without lobes (A). The flowers are small with oval yellow petals (B). The flower heads elongate to resemble thimbles (H).
Oval petals and deeply divided, 3-lobed lower leaves separate it from look-alike Small-flowered Crowfoot (R. abortivus) which also prefers drier sites.
Found in wet ditches, and other wet sites near or in water, flowering from April to June. In Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods it is uncommon on the floodplain in or near water in normal years. It was abundant on the Fontenelle Forest floodplain in April 2012, growing on the thick layer of silt deposited by the 2011 flood.
The Latin name Ranunculus means “little frog.” Also known as Cursed Crowfoot.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.