About Ranunculus lanuginosus L.
Nomenclature and Basic Growth Form
Ranunculus lanuginosus L., commonly known as woolly buttercup, is a herbaceous perennial buttercup species that grows 30 to 80 centimeters tall.
Stem Characteristics
It typically grows upright and spreads out, with a thick, round, hollow stem covered in a dense layer of trichomes.
Basal Leaf Structure
Its basal leaves have long leafstalks and are palmately lobed, with five ovate, hirsute segments that have double serrated margins.
Upper Stem Leaf Structure
Upper stem leaves are sessile, palmately lobed, and have wide segments.
Leaf Dimensions
Most leaves measure 12 centimeters long and 8 centimeters wide.
Pollination and Flowering Period
This species is entomophilous, and flowers from May to August.
Flower Color and Perianth Structure
Its flowers are yellow to orange with a darker central area, with five floral parts in both the corolla and calyx.
Flower Size and Calyx Traits
Individual flowers are 2 to 2.5 centimeters across, and the calyx is made up of hairy sepals.
Fruit Characteristics
The fruit of this plant is a hairless achene that is flattened laterally and ends in a long, curved rostrum.
Toxicity
Like many other buttercups, woolly buttercup is toxic.
Native Distribution Range
This species is native to Europe and the Caucasus, occurring in central and southern Europe, the Caucasus, and is native to Albania, Austria, the Baltic States, Bulgaria, Corsica, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Sardinia, Sicily, Switzerland, European Turkey, Ukraine, and former Yugoslavian countries.
Habitat Preferences
It is a relatively common species that grows in various shaded forests with dense undergrowth, as well as other similar shaded, humid habitats.
Raunkiær Life Form Classification
It is classified as a hemicryptophyte under the Raunkiær system.
Elevation Range
It is primarily a lowland species, and only rarely grows in the subalpine zone, reaching a maximum elevation of around 1,400 meters.
