Minnesota Wildflowers


or try: advanced plant search
Make a Donation!
Share |

Ranunculus rhomboideus (Prairie Buttercup)

Plant Info
Also known as: Labrador Buttercup
Genus:Ranunculus
Family:Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, sun; dry prairies, open woods
Bloom season:April - May
Plant height:2 to 10 inches
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map

Pick an image for a larger view. Most image enlargements are 50-100KB, though some may be larger. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower: Flower shape: 5-petals

[photo of flowers] A single flower is at the end of a hairy stem that arises from a leaf axil. Flowers are about 1/3 to ½ inch across, with (ususally) 5 yellow petals and 5 yellowish sepals, and numerous yellow stamens surrounding a bulbous green center. Most plants have from 3 to 12 flowers.

Leaves and stem: Leaf attachment: alternate basal Leaf type: lobed

[photo of leaves] The stem leaves are deeply lobed into 3 to 5 narrow segments up to an inch long and are alternately attached, but may look whorled or palmate. There is no leaf stem. There are also a few basal leaves on slender stems up to 2 inches long. Basal leaves are up to 1½ inches long, ¾ inch wide, have rounded teeth except near the base, and vary in shape from oval to rhombic to lobed in 3 parts, All leaves and stems are covered with long hairs.

Notes:

Prairie Buttercup may only be 2 or 3 inches tall when it starts flowering, but the stems can eventually elongate to about 10 inches. The flowers aren't very distinctive for a buttercup, but the leaves make this species easy to identify. It is also among the first prairie plants to bloom in the spring.

Where to buy native seed and plants

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

  • Shooting Star Native Seeds - Native Prairie Grass and Wildflower Seeds
  • Landscape Alternatives - Distinctive Native Plants since 1986!
  • Prairie Restorations - Bringing people together with the land
  • Shop for native seeds and plants at PrairieMoon.com!
  • Out Back Nursery and Landscaping - Where Ecology and Horticulture Unite

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Wild River State Park, Center City, MN, May 2008 and 2009

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Nancy in Bluestem Prairie SNA
on: 2012-04-17 09:55:53

I saw several in bloom on April 12, 2012 near the main path leading from the Bluestem Prairie SNA's parking area. Some were growing in the mowed path. They were the lone-bloomers from what I saw that day!

Post a comment

Note: All comments are moderated before posting to keep the riff-raff out. An email address is required, but will not be posted—it will only be used for information exchange between the 2 of us (if needed) and will never be given to a 3rd party without your express permission.

For info on subjects other than plant identification (gardening, invasive species control, edible plants, etc.), please check the links and invasive species pages for additional resources.



(required)




Note: Comments or information about plants outside of Minnesota and neighboring states may not be posted because I’d like to keep the focus of this web site centered on Minnesota. Thanks for your understanding.