Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Ranunculus sessiliflorus DC., Syst. Nat. [Candolle] 1, 302 (1817)
 Description

Small hairy annual; roots all fibrous. Stems slender, 5–10 cm tall. Lvs all similar, broader than long, thin, 3–5-lobed to c. 3/4 way, 5–10 × 7–15 mm; lobes ovate, acute, entire; petioles 1–2 cm long. Fls 1–5 per stem, 2–3 mm diam., mostly sessile, lf-opposed, the lowermost sometimes on short pedicel 3–5 mm long. Sepals 3–4, 1–2 mm long. Petals 1–2, pale yellow, < sepals; nectary single, 0.5–1 mm from petal base, covered by an obtuse scale. Receptacle glabrous. Achenes (1)–3–6, weakly flattened, bordered, elliptic; body 1–1.5 × 1–1.3 mm; face covered with short hooked spines; beak abruptly tapered, somewhat hooked at tip, c. 0.5 mm long.

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

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Sep.–Oct.; Fruiting: Sep.–Oct.

 Bibliography
Cockayne, L.; Allan, H.H. 1927 ("1926"): Notes on New Zealand floristic botany, including descriptions of new species, & c. (No. 5). Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 57: 48–72.
de Candolle, A.P. 1817 ("1818"): Regni Vegetabilis Systema Naturale, sive ordines, genera et species plantarum secundum methodi naturalis normas digestarum et descriptarum. Vol. 1. Treuttel et Würtz, Paris.