SMALL-FLOWERED CROWFOOT
Ranunculus abortivus
BUTTERCUP FAMILY (Ranunculaceae)
Identification
- Flowering time - April, May, early June
- Common in upland and floodplain woodlands
- Inconspicuous - 5 small, triangular petals and a bulbous green center
- Round to kidney-shaped lower leaves
- The smaller, triangular petals, lower leaves which are not deeply divided and drier locations separate it from Celery-leaved Crowfoot (R. sceleratus) which has larger, oval petals and 3-lobed lower leaves
This inconspicuous plant is a native biennial or short-lived perennial. It grows up to 2 feet tall, but usually shorter. The lowest leaves are round to kidney-shaped, often with scalloped margins (D,F); the uppermost ones are oblong (C). The very small flowers have 5 pale yellow, triangular petals around a bulbous green center (A,B).
Found in moist woodland where it blooms from April into June. This common, but seldom noticed, plant occurs at both Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. Look for it in moist places in upland woods and wooded floodplain habitats. Image “D” was taken in early April 2012 on the floodplain, growing on thick, deposited silt from the 2011 flood where it thrived along with its very similar ‘cousin’ Celery-leaved Crowfoot (R. sceleratus).
The species name apparently refers to the very small (aborted) petals. Other common names include Kidney-leaved Buttercup and Small-flowered Buttercup.
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