Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Ranunculus acris L.
Synonymy:
  • = Ranunculus acer
Vernacular Name(s):
Giant buttercup; Meadow buttercup
 Description

Perennial; roots all fibrous, arising from a stout short rhizome. Stems stout, erect, hairy at least below, (30)–60–100 cm tall. Lvs subcircular to rhomboid, very deeply palmately 5-lobed; lobes pinnatifid with narrowly lanceolate acute segments, hairy; lower lvs 4–12 × 5–15 cm on hairy petioles 10–50 cm long; uppermost lvs becoming sessile, not lobed, entire, linear. Fls numerous per stem, 15–20–(30) mm diam. Pedicels erect, with spreading hairs, terete, 2–6 cm long. Sepals 5, hairy, spreading, 4–5 mm long. Petals 5, yellow, obovate, 10–12 × 8–10 mm; nectary single, c. 1 mm from petal base, covered by a short oblong truncate or retuse scale. Receptacle glabrous. Achenes 30–50, glabrous, strongly flattened, bordered, obovate-deltoid to subcircular; body 2.5–3 × c. 2 mm; face smooth; beak hooked, c. 0.5 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: (Oct.)–Nov.–Apr.; Fruiting: (Nov.)–Dec.–Apr.

 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 2012: Regional Pest Management Strategies Database. http://www.biosecurityperformance.maf.govt.nz/
Connor, H.E. 1977: The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.