Ranunculus papulentus

Location & distribution maps

Common name:         Large River Buttercup

Conservation status: ...

Etymology:   

• The genus name Ranunculus is Late Latin for "little frog", the diminutive of rana; this probably refers to many species being found near water, like frogs

Flowers

• Individuals can have 1-4 flowers, each with 5-6 sepals

• The flowering stems are slender and erect, 3–30 cm in height

• It has 2-4 flowers with spreading, glossy yellow petals

• The petals are 7–12 mm long and 2–4 mm wide

• The nectary lobes are elliptical or semicircular

• It usually has 12–36 achenes, 1.7–3.6 mm long, with the lateral faces irregularly wrinkled or pitted, or rarely smooth, and when mature often pale and thickened along the dorsal ridge

Fruit:                            

Leaves:         

• It has leaves with lamina 2–4 cm long

• The three primary segments each have 3–5 lobes or teeth, or are rarely entire 

• The petiole is usually 4–25 cm long

Stem & branches: 

Roots:         

Habit:        

• An upright perennial herb 10–25 cm in height with underground stolons

Habitat:   

•  It occurs in freshwater wetland environments, on mud or in pools

Distribution:                  

• It has been recorded from NSW, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT

Additional notes:     

• Biology and ecology

  • Flowering may occur from spring to autumn

  • The plant has a rhizomatous habit which aids its spread

Sources of information:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranunculus_papulentus (2024)