Minnesota Wildflowers


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Ranunculus cymbalaria (Alkali Buttercup)

Plant Info
Also known as: Seaside Crowfoot
Genus:Ranunculus
Family:Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, sun; muddy, brackish areas, salt marshes, wet ditches
Bloom season:May - August
Plant height:2 to 6 inches
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower: 5-petals

[photo of flowers] Flowers are about 1/3 inch across with 5 yellow petals, 5 yellowish sepals nearly as long as the petals and a ring of yellow stamens surrounding the green center. A plant has 1 to a few flowers branching off at the top of the stem and often has multiple stems.

Leaves and stem: basal simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are basal, to 1 inch long and ¾ inch wide, with stems up to about 3 inches long but shorter than the flower stems. The shape is oval, kidney-shaped, or somewhat triangular with a rounded tip and irregular notches or teeth around the edges, and sometimes lobed in 3 parts. The leaf base may be squared or more heart-shaped. Leaves are hairless and stems hairless or sparsely hairy.

Notes:

Alkali Buttercup tends to form dense colonies. It is on the endangered or threatened list in several states, including Wisconsin, but not in Minnesota.

Where to buy native seed and plants

Help support this site by buying seeds & plants from these vendors. Tell them we sent you!

  • Shop for native seeds and plants at PrairieMoon.com!
  • Out Back Nursery and Landscaping - Where Ecology and Horticulture Unite
  • Shooting Star Native Seeds - Native Prairie Grass and Wildflower Seeds
  • Prairie Restorations - Bringing people together with the land

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Ft Snelling State Park, St Paul, MN, August 2009

Comments

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