Woodland Buttercup

Plants with hispid stems and achenes are often separated as Ranunculus uncinatus var. parviflorus ; these two characters are poorly correlated, however, and sometimes vary between plants in a single collection. Ranunculus uncinatus was reported from northeastern Alberta and adjacent Northwest Territories by H. J. Scoggan (1978-1979, part 3). The specimens have hairy receptacles and straight, broad achene beaks; they apparently represent small individuals of R . macounii .

Some Native Americans used Ranunculus uncinatus as an antrirheumatic, a diaphoretic, a disinfectant, and an orthopedic aid, as well as in herbal steam baths intended to soothe sore muscles and rheumatism (D. E. Moerman 1986).

Stems erect, never rooting nodally, hispid or glabrous, base not bulbous. Roots never tuberous. Basal leaf blades cordate to reniform in outline, 3-parted or sometimes 3-foliolate, 1.8-5.6 × 2.8-8.3 cm, segments again lobed, ultimate segments elliptic to lanceolate, margins toothed or crenate-toothed, apex acute to rounded-obtuse. Flowers: receptacle glabrous; sepals reflexed or sometimes spreading, 2-3.5 × 1-2 mm, pubescent; petals 5, yellow, 2-4(-6) × 1-2(-3) mm. Heads of achenes globose or hemispheric, 4-7 × 4-7 mm; achenes 2-2.8 × 1.6-2 mm, glabrous or sparsely hispid, margin forming narrow rib 0.1-0.2 mm wide; beak persistent, lanceolate, curved, hooked, 1.2-2.5 mm. 2 n = 28.

Alta., B.C.; Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.Mex., Oreg., Wash., Wyo.

Flowering spring-summer (Apr-Aug).

Moist meadows or woods, often along streams; 0-3400m.

Ranunculus bongardii Greene; R. bongardii var. tenellus (A. Gray) Greene; R. uncinatus var. earlei (Greene) L. D. Benson; R. uncinatus var. parviflorus (Torrey) L. D. Benson