Ranunculus abortivus (Little-leaf Buttercup)
| Also known as: | Kidney-leaf Buttercup, Small-flower Crowfoot |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Ranunculus |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade, shade; open woods |
| Bloom season: | April - June |
| Plant height: | 6 to 24 inches |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FAC MW: FACW NCNE: FAC |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/littleleaf-buttercup_0508_124724.jpg)
Flowers are at the end of naked stalks that branch out at the top of the plant. Each flower is about ¼ inch across, 5 pale yellow petals and a ring of yellow stamens around a bright green bulbous center. There are 5 round green sepals between the petals that are about as long as the petals. One plant has a few to several flowers.
Leaves:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/littleleaf-buttercup_0508_123937.jpg)
Leaves are both basal and alternately attached up the stem. Basal leaves are up to 2 inches long and 2½ inches wide, round to kidney shaped, have scalloped edges and stalks up to 3 inches long. Leaves attached on the lower part of the stem are often lobed in 3 or 5 parts, also with scalloped edges, and shorter stalked. Leaves at the top near the flowers are mostly long and narrow with smooth edges and stalkless or nearly so, but may be lobed. Stems are green and hairless.
Fruit:
![[photo of fruit]](/udata/r9ndp23q/yellow/ranunculus-abortivus-littleleaf-buttercup_0618_143225.jpg)
The center bulb elongates to about ¼ inch long and becomes a head of green seeds. The seeds are oval, slightly flattened, and ripen to shiny brown.
Notes:
There are several members of the buttercup family with small yellow flowers, but the leaf shape is pretty unique for each species. The wide shape variation between the basal and top leaves makes Little-leaf Buttercup pretty easy to identify. The basal leaves are the first thing to sprout in the spring and resemble those of some violets.
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More photos
Little-leaf Buttercup plant
an unusual 6-petaled flower
early spring growth
more plantsPhotos by K. Chayka taken in Ramsey County.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2010-04-14 13:33:14
Abundant....weedy???? Throughout dry-mesic backyard. Glad to find out it is native. Unfortunately I WAS pulling it. No more.
on: 2010-04-25 15:22:47
This is growing abundantly in the west portion of Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan. It also is growing well in my backyard. In the park the basal leaves are evident, but not so many blooms. My yard has mostly flowering plants.
on: 2011-05-17 23:26:07
All over in my shade garden!
on: 2012-04-19 20:12:59
I just found a single Ranunculus abortivus in the woods of Crandall Garden Farme off of 175th ave NW Ramsey,MN. A Small yet beautiful flower.
on: 2015-04-19 17:52:24
i have a few plants in my backyard. I am concerned about whether it is safe for my dog. I doubt that she will eat but if she does will it poison her?
on: 2015-05-08 22:55:07
This is on the intermediate and expert loop of the mountain bike trail in elm creek regional park.
on: 2015-05-15 20:33:20
Again, Grandmother's woodland wildflower garden. Mistook for a weed and glad I didn't pull it. Took a few months to find this id-even knowing this site. Googled buttercup family after noticing it resembled aconitum slightly in the leaves.
on: 2017-04-23 15:45:56
We have these quite widespread on our property. Many up and starting to bloom this week.
on: 2017-05-17 15:15:21
The plant showed up about a month ago in my little garden. I had a hard time finding out if it was a weed or not. Glad I didn't pull it. The plant now has a pretty little yellow flower! Will it take over my garden? Thanks for any help.
on: 2017-05-17 15:57:49
Susan, it does not create dense stands or colonies so isn't likely to take over your garden. If it pops up more than you like it is easy to yank out.
on: 2018-06-20 11:32:25
I found a tall straggling ranunculus in a ditch. It has already gone to seed and the plant looks a lot like abortivus, but has no basal leaves. Do they tend to keep their basal leaves? Or does the absence of basal leaves suggest this is something else?
on: 2020-05-21 09:13:06
We have this on a slope between our yard and a wetland - however, in the early spring growth phase I'm having difficulty distinguishing it from early garlic mustard (see your photo#3 in 'more photos' in your post). I want to get rid of the latter, but don't want to be pulling out the buttercup. Any help in distinguishing between the two? Many thanks!
on: 2021-04-23 11:37:25
Hello Carol Skay- The plants are very similar in spring. The difference I focus on is that the buttercup leaves are smooth and shiny, and the garlic mustard leaves very crinkled and dull. Hope that is helpful!
on: 2023-05-12 13:44:06
I'm restoring the native vegetation on our property, which necessitates continual weeding. I was out today removing yellow rocket and found one of these in bloom.
on: 2023-05-31 08:41:02
This little gem bloomed among the lobelias in my rain garden.