Tall Buttercup
| Also known as: | Common Buttercup, Crowfoot |
|---|---|
| Scientific name: | Ranunculus acris |
| Family: | Buttercup (Ranunculaceae) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | Europe |
| Habitat: | sun to part shade; moist fields, edges of woods, along roads |
| Bloom season: | spring through summer |
| Plant height: | 10 to 40 inches |
| USDA PLANTS database: | Minnesota county distribution map |
| Spotted in Ramsey County at: |
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Detailed Information
- Flower:
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/common-buttercup_0620_115201-t.jpg)
Flowers are at the end of stems that arise from the leaf axils. Individual flowers are ½ to 1 inch across with 5 broad shiny yellow petals. There are numerous yellow stamen around the greenish center. One plant has several to many flowers.
- Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/common-buttercup_0614_171756-t.jpg)
Leaves are to 4 inches long and 6 inches across, becoming progressively smaller as they ascend the stem, deeply divided into 3 to 5 narrow lobes, each lobe further divided. They are softly hairy and have no leaf stem. The main stem is hairy to varying degrees.
- Notes:
- There are several species of yellow buttercup that are native to Minnesota, Tall Buttercup is not one of them. It is most easily identified by its deeply lobed leaves. It also has larger flowers and is a taller plant than most native species.
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/common-buttercup_0620_115201.jpg)
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/common-buttercup_0614_171756.jpg)
More photos
Tall Buttercup plant, about 3 feet tall
more flowers Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN June 2008
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?
