Plantainleaf Buttercup
Ranunculus alismifolius
Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae)
Plantainleaf Buttercup (Ranunculus alismifolius) is an abundant Buttercup, especially in moist . Leaves are long, often broadest in the center and tapered at both ends and the plant is often broader than tall. Like so many other Buttercups, Ranunculus alismifolius flowers are small and only attract oohs and ahhs when they are found in large colonies or when you look at their flowers with a hand lens. Charles Geyer named this species in 1849. "Alismifolius" means "with Plantain-like leaves."
Because of the shape of Ranunculus flowers, bees do not pollinate them very well, but the bees do leave an abundance of pollen on the glossy petals. Dew and rain slide off the slick, shiny surface carrying the pollen to the below to fertilize them. How very interesting the ways of plants are!
The various species of Ranunculus are a bit difficult to tell apart; look first at the leaf shape and the height of the plant. Flower size, color, and shape are very similar and are difficult to use in distinguishing among species. "Ranunculaceae" is an ancient name, probably derived from the Latin "rana," meaning "frog" or "tadpole"; frogs and some Ranunculaceae prefer the same moist habitat. But the name might refer to some long forgotten perceived relationship in size, shape, and smell between flower and frog. Linnaeus named this in 1753.
©2009 Keir Morse
