Hooked Buttercup (Ranunculus recurvatus)

Ranunculus recurvatus - commonly called Hooked Buttercup, Hooked Crowfoot, or Blisterwort – is another under-appreciated wildflower.

The plant is lanky, particularly growing in the shade as this one is. You’d hardly notice the plant, let alone its flowers.

The leaves are opposite and flowers develop in the axil

The flowers are small but elegant and well worth looking for.

Ranunculus recurvatus is native to the United States from Virginia to Florida, west to Texas, and north to North Dakota. It has not been found in South Dakota but does grow in Washington state.. I’ve only seen it at home but you can see that it could be easily overlooked.
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Distribution Map:
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Ranunculus recurvatus (Blisterwort)

Identification resources:
- Southeastern Flora: Hooked Buttercup (Ranunculus recurvatus)
- Missouri Plants: Ranunculus recurvatus

Related posts:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower