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Smith, R.W.

Ranunculus fascicularis

Ranunculus fascicularis Muhl. ex Bigelow

Early Buttercup, Tufted Buttercup, Prairie Buttercup

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Synonym(s): Ranunculus fascicularis var. apricus, Ranunculus fascicularis var. typicus

USDA Symbol: RAFA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Early spring wildflower, 6-12 in. tall with spreading stems and divided, silky-haired leaves. Yellow, five-petaled flowers.

From the Image Gallery

7 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CO , CT , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI
Canada: ON
Native Distribution: NH, s. Ont. & MN, s. to GA, TX, e. KS & s.e. NE
Native Habitat: Dry, open woods; prairies

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Description: Well-drained soils.

Benefit

Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Low toxicity if eaten. Minor skin irritation lasting minutes if touched. Symptoms include burning of the mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Skin redness, burning sensation, and blisters following contact with cell sap. Toxic Principle: Protoanemonin, released from the glycoside ranunculin.(Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Supports Conservation Biological Control

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FAC				FACU	FAC		FACU	FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Ranunculus fascicularis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ranunculus fascicularis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ranunculus fascicularis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-24
Research By: TWC Staff

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