Native Plants
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Ranunculus fascicularis
Ranunculus fascicularis Muhl. ex Bigelow
Early Buttercup, Tufted Buttercup, Prairie Buttercup
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
Synonym(s): Ranunculus fascicularis var. apricus, Ranunculus fascicularis var. typicus
USDA Symbol: rafa
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Early spring wildflower, 6-12 in. tall with spreading stems and divided, silky-haired leaves. Yellow, five-petaled flowers.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CO , CT , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WICanada: ON
Native Distribution: NH, s. Ont. & MN, s. to GA, TX, e. KS & s.e. NE
Native Habitat: Dry, open woods; prairies
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , ShadeSoil Description: Well-drained soils.
Benefit
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Low toxicity if eaten. Minor skin irritation lasting minutes if touched. Symptoms include burning of the mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Skin redness, burning sensation, and blisters following contact with cell sap. Toxic Principle: Protoanemonin, released from the glycoside ranunculin.(Poisonous Plants of N.C.)Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSupports Conservation Biological Control
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Commercially Avail: yesNational Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FACU | FAC | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Ranunculus fascicularis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Ranunculus fascicularis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ranunculus fascicularis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-24Research By: TWC Staff