Flower ID: IMG_6255.JPG-05-15-2021 Flower name (scientific): Ranunculus abortivus Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) ra-NUN-ku-lus (or ra-NUN-kul-us or ruh-NUNK-ew-lus) a-bor-TEE-vus (or a-bor-TI-vus) Flower name (common): Little-leaf Buttercup Family name (common): Buttercup Family name (scientific): Ranunculaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Latin for little frog. Referencing the moist habitat where many species grow. Specific epithet: From the Latin for to abort. Also used with the sense of missing or malformed parts; imperfect. Common name origin: From the relative small size of the leaves and the resemblance to some of the other members of the buttercup family. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.3 inches (0.5 to 0.8 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: yellow Other: flower arrangement, Solitary Plant description: Size: 8 to 24 inches (20 to 61 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple and lobed Size: Basal leaves up to 5 cm long and 6 cm wide. Lower cauline leaves to 5 cm long and wide. Upper cauline leaves are narrow and up to 4 cm long. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, basal reniform or orbiculate (FNA), upper cauline lanceolate, oblanceolate, or oblong (IL). Shape: leaf, basal reniform or orbiculate (FNA), upper cauline lanceolate, oblanceolate, or oblong (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): April to June Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Forests, prairies, fields, meadows, woods, streambanks, disturbed areas, roadsides, shade or semi-shade, dry to moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): To help distinguish Ranunculus abortivus from other small flowered buttercups, look for lower leaves with a kidney shape and the absence of hooks on the seed head. The most similar species is Ranunculus micranthus, which has achenes with a dull surface and a glabrous receptacle, whereas R. abortivus has achenes with a shiny surface and a receptacle sparsely pilose. R. micranthus has not been reported from Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, but has been reported from southern Illinois and more southern and eastern states. Ethnobotany: The Meskwaki used this plant to treat nose bleed (Smith, p. 239, 1928). The Cherokee used the plant as a sedative and also used the plant as a food source. The Iroquois employed this plant to treal multiple ailments inculding epilepsy, poison antidote, emetic, stomach issues, snakebite remedy, and others (Moerman, p. 467, 1998). Latitude: 44.796397 Longitude: -91.483805 Altitude: 255.60 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AK, AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) In Canada: (AB, BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na