[Buttercups: The Genus Ranunculus in the Columbia River
Gorge of Oregon and Washington]
Creeping Buttercup, Greater Creeping Spearwort, Lesser Spearwort, Small Creeping Buttercup
Ranunculus flammula var. filiformis
Synonyms: Ranunculus filiformis, Ranunculus filiformis var. ovalis, Ranunculus flammula var. angustifolius, Ranunculus flammula var. filiformis, Ranunculus flammula var. flammula, Ranunculus flammula var. genuinus, Ranunculus flammula var. intermedia, Ranunculus flammula var. ovalis, Ranunculus flammula var. reptans, Ranunculus flammula var. samolifolius, Ranunculus flammula var. strigulosus, Ranunculus flammula var. unalaschensis, Ranunculus reptans, Ranunculus reptans var. filiformis, Ranunculus reptans var. intermedius, Ranunculus reptans var. ovalis, Ranunculus reptans var. samolifolius, Ranunculus reptans var. strigulosus
Small creeping buttercupas seen in vernally moist wetlands at Panacanic in western Klickitat County.........May 17, 2013.
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.
A long-petioled basal leaf of small creeping
buttercup.
Habitat:
Small creeping buttercup is a widespread species, ranging from
the lowlands to the lower mountains, occurring in muddy areas around ponds or
rivers.
Range:
Small creeping buttercup may be found in Europe, Iceland, and
is widespread within its habitat across North America.
In the Columbia River Gorge it may be found between the elevations
of 0'-2800' between Crown Point and The Dalles, OR.
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Additional close-up images of small creeping buttercupas seen in vernally moist wetlands at Panacanic in western Klickitat County.........May 17, 2013.
Small creeping buttercup at Tom McCall Nature Preserve, east
of Mosier, OR.....June 16, 2002.
Small creeping buttercup at Tom McCall Nature
Preserve, east of Mosier, OR.....July 11, 1991.
Paul Slichter