Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Small-Flowered Buttercup
(Littleleaf Buttercup)
Ranunculus abortivus [C-value
0]
Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae)
Blooms mid-April -
June
The native Small-Flowered Buttercup is common in our area. It prefers partial sunlight, moist to slightly moist conditions and a reasonably fertile loam soil. Habitats include open woodlands, woodland borders, areas along woodland paths and banks of streams and ditches. This biennial (or short-lived perennial is up to 2' tall and branching occasionally. The blades of its lowest basal leaves are up to 2" long and 2½" across on petioles up to 3" long. The upper leaves are up to 1½" long, lance-shaped and toothless. Each upper stem terminates in 1-3 flowers on individual stalks. Each flower is about 3/8" across with 5 yellow petals, 5 green sepals, a cluster of green carpels, and a ring of stamens with bright yellow anthers.
Small-Flowered Buttercup at Lyon Forest Preserve May 7, 2015
Small-Flowered Buttercup at Lyon Forest Preserve May 7, 2015
Small-Flowered Buttercup at Lyon Forest Preserve May 7, 2015
Small-Flowered Buttercup basal leaves at Lyon Forest Preserve May 7, 2015
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