Little-leaf Buttercup (Ranunculus abortivus): yellow Minnesota wildflowers

Little-leaf Buttercup

Plant Info
Also known as:	Kidney-leaf Buttercup, Small-flower Crowfoot
Scientific name:	Ranunculus abortivus
Family:	Buttercup (Ranunculaceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	part sun, shade; open woods
Bloom season:	spring
Plant height:	6 to 24 inches
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

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Flower:: Flowers are at the end of naked stalks that branch out at the top of the plant. Each flower is about ¼ inch across, 5 pale yellow petals and a ring of yellow stamen around a bright green center ball. There are 5 round green sepals between the petals that are about as long as the petals. One plant has a few to several flowers.
Leaves:: There are both basal leaves, and leaves alternately attached up the stem. Basal leaves are up to 2 inches long and 2½ inches wide, round to kidney shaped, have scalloped edges and stems up to 3 inches long. Leaves attached on the lower part of the stem are often lobed in 3 or 5 parts, also with scalloped edges, and shorter leaf stems. Leaves at the top near the flowers are mostly narrow with smooth edges and little or no leaf stem, but may be lobed.
Notes:: There are multiple members of the buttercup family with small yellow flowers, but the leaf shape is unique for each species. The wide shape variation between the basal and top leaves makes Little-leaf Buttercup pretty easy to identify. The basal leaves are the first thing to sprout in the spring; they look similar to violets leaves, but are rounder.

More yellow wildflowers. Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton MN May 2008

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