''Ranunculus hispidus'' is a species of

perennial A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

in the buttercup family,

Ranunculaceae Ranunculaceae (buttercup or crowfoot family; Latin "little frog", from "frog") is a family of over 2,000 known species of flowering plants in 43 genera, distributed worldwide. The largest genera are ''Ranunculus'' (600 species), ''Delphinium' ...

. It is commonly known as bristly buttercup or hispid buttercup. It is a small plant native to central and eastern North America that grows to a height up to and has 5-petaled yellow flowers.

Description

''R. hispidus'' has upright stems growing up to tall, with a tendency to sprawl as it ages. It has light green to pale reddish brown stems that have long spreading hairs. The plant has both

basal leaves A leaf ( : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, st ...

and alternate leaves on the stem. The basal leaves have long petioles, and the leaves on the stem are smaller and have shorter petioles higher up on the stem. The leaves are variable, with some being compound with 3 leaflets, sometimes wider than they are long. Each leaflet is coarsely toothed, often with 3 lobes, and measure up to long. The flowers have 5 shiny yellow

petals Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''corolla''. Petals are usually ...

and measure about across, growing individually on long hairy stalks. The

sepals A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 The term ''sepalum'' was coined b ...

are shorter than the petals and are hairy and

lanceolate The following is a list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular o ...

. They bloom March to June. After blooming, several flattened

achenes An achene (; ), also sometimes called akene and occasionally achenium or achenocarp, is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate (formed from one carpel) and indehiscent (they do not ope ...

up to long are produced.

Etymology

The genus name ''Ranunculus'' is from the Latin, meaning "little frog" and refers to the preference many buttercups have for wet habitats. The specific epithet ''hispidus'' is from Latin, meaning "densely hairy".

Distribution and habitat

''R. hispidus'' is native in the United States from Texas and North Dakota to the west, the Canadian border to the north, the east coast to the east, and Florida to the south. In Canada, it is native in Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Labrador, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island. It can be found in habitats such as dry woods, ridges, slopes, and valleys.

Ecology

Birds, such as turkey and grouse, and small rodents eat the seeds.

Toxicity

All parts of the plant are mildly toxic if eaten and could cause minor skin irritation if touched. The foliage is poisonous for mammals such as cows, which avoid eating it.

References

{{Authority control hispidus Flora of Northern America Plants described in 1803