Creeping Buttercup, Creeping Speerwort, Lesser Spearwort, Small Creeping Buttercup

Ranunculus flammula

Synonyms: Ranunculus filiformis, Ranunculus filiformis var. ovalis, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus flammula var. filiformis, Ranunnculus flammula var. flammula, Ranunculus flammula var. ovalis, Ranunculus flammula var. reptans, Ranunculus flammula var. samolifolius, Ranunculus reptans var. ovalis

Characteristics:

Small creeping buttercup is a low growing perennial with lax to prostrate stems up to 50 cm long. The stems commonly root at the nodes as they touch the ground and they may be somewhat hollow. The stems are either simple or may have some simple branching. The herbage varies from smooth to covered with stiff hairs. The leaves alternate along the stem and are simple with entire margins. The blades range from oblanceolate to narrowly linear. The basal leaves have long petioles while the stem leaves are short petiolate or sessile.

The 5 sepals are 2-5 mm long while the 5 (to 11) yellowish petals are 4-5 mm long.

Small creeping buttercup is a widespread species, ranging from the lowlands to the lower mountains, occurring in muddy areas around ponds or rivers.

Small creeping buttercup may be found in Europe, Iceland, and is widespread within its habitat across North America.

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