Ranunculus muricatus L.

Annual; roots all fibrous. Stems moderately stout, erect, glabrous or very sparsely hairy, 10–30–(50) cm tall. Basal lvs subcircular, 3–5-lobed to c. 3/4 way, 3–5 × 3–5 cm; lobes obovate, cuneate, dentate, sparsely hairy on veins and margins; petioles glabrous, 5–15 cm long. Cauline lvs similar to basal but lobes becoming lanceolate, entire; uppermost lvs sometimes not lobed, lanceolate, entire. Fls 1–3–(10) per stem, 10–20 mm diam. Pedicels erecto-patent, sparsely hairy, terete, 15–60 mm at fruiting. Sepals 5 with sparse long hairs, acute, 5–6 mm long with apex deflexed at flowering. Petals 5, yellow, obovate, 7–9 × 3–4 mm; nectary single, 1–2 mm from petal base, covered by an obtuse to truncate scale. Receptacle hairy. Achenes 15–25, strongly flattened, distinctly bordered, broadly obovate; body 3–5–(7) × 2.5–3.5 mm; face with strong, long, curved spines especially near the margin; beak curved at tip, c. 2 mm long.

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

Flowering: Sep.–Nov.–(Jan.); Fruiting: Sep.–Nov.–(Jan.)