Date: April 8, 2010. Location: Rochester cemetery (map)
| Classification Hierarchy | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Subkingdom | Tracheophyta |
| Superdivision | Spermatophyta |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Ranunculales |
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus | Ranunculus |
| Species | Ranunculus fascicularis |
Date: April 8, 2010. Location: Rochester cemetery (map)
Scientific Name: Ranunculus fascicularis (Ranunculus [L] little frog; fascicularis - the roots appear bundled, a fascicle is a bundle.
Common Name: Early buttercup. In our region, this is one of springs first bloomers - blooming in early April.
Origin: Native
Notes: While most Ranunculus species are found in wet or moist environments, this one is usually found on dry soils in such places as upland slopes and prairie remnants with scattered trees and little undergrowth.
Additional references: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 8.
Flowers: April, yellow, petals 5 - 7 usually (not always) narrow - twice as long as wide; sepals, spreading or reflexed; sepals and receptacle may be hispid or glabrous.
Leaves: variably strigose, 3 to 7 foliate, leaflets may be lobed but with margins entire.
Stems: erect or ascending, 4 to 10 inches, strigose.
Glossary: Botanical Terms pdf
