Arching or reclining, hollow stems bearing bright, glossy, yellow flowers.

1" wide; sepals 5; petals 5, showy; stamens andpistils numerous.

Divided into 3-lobed segments, each 1 1/2-4" long, on short stalks.

Dry, seed-like, with winged edges and a bird-like beak; in round clusters.

1-3' .

April-July.

Moist woods, thicketes, and meadows.

A native, weak-stemmed, highly variable species, this buttercup is typical of swamps and marshes. Some Botanists divide it into three or four species or varieties. Between 20 and 30 Ranunculus species are found in a variety of habitats; all are pollinated by flies and bees.