Ranunculus gmelinii DC.

Nomenclature and Family

Ranunculus gmelinii, commonly called Gmelin's buttercup or small yellow water-crowfoot, is a flowering plant species belonging to the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae.

Geographic Distribution

This species is native to northern North America, where it grows across Canada, and in the northern and higher elevation regions of the United States. It is also found in Eurasia.

Growth Form

Ranunculus gmelinii is a perennial herb. It produces prostrate stems that grow across moist ground, or floating stems that grow in shallow water.

Pubescence

Plants range from hairy to completely hairless.

Leaf Morphology

Its leaf blades are round or kidney-shaped, and are divided into three segments that may be further subdivided.

Flower Characteristics

The plant's yellow petals measure 4 to 14 millimeters in length.

Habitat

This species grows in wetland habitats and on shorelines.

Global Conservation Status

Ranunculus gmelinii is not a globally threatened species, but it becomes rare in habitats at the edges of its overall range.

Regional U.S. Conservation Status

It is protected as a threatened plant in the U.S. state of Maine. Its variety Ranunculus gmelinii var. hookeri is listed as a state endangered plant in Wisconsin, and the species is listed as endangered in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Etymology

This species was named to honor Johann Georg Gmelin, who lived from 1709 to 1755.