creeping buttercup

Ranunculus repens L.

Appearance: Ranunculus repens is an herbaceous perennial that usually creeps along the ground. Nonflowering, arching, creeping stems form roots at the nodes. The plant is usually hirsute, though it can be glabrate.
Foliage: Leaves are 3-parted; terminal division is stalked; divisions are broadly ovate to subrotund; also cleft or lobed; often having sharp teeth along the margins; apex of leaves is obtuse to acuminate; leaves measure 0.4-3.3 in. (1-8.5 cm) long and 0.6-4 in. (1.5-10 cm) wide; petioles are long and pubescent, measuring 0.5-10 in. (1.25-25 cm).
Flowers: Flowers are bright yellow and appear in May to July. They are about 1 in. (2.5 cm) across and have 5-7 obovate petals that exceed the spreading sepals. Each of the petals measures 0.3-0.6 in. (8-15 mm) in length. The receptacle of the flower is usually hispid, but may rarely be glabrous.
Fruit: Fruits are spherical achenes that measure 0.1 in. (2.5-3.5 mm) in diameter. These achenes have sharp, narrow margins and are tipped with a short, curved beak.
Ecological Threat: It can form large monocultures that crowd out native plants, especially in coastal headlands. It is often mistaken for native buttercups. Ranunculus repens occurs most commonly in rich, damp soil, but can be found in moist sand or gravel.

Infestation in flower
Ohio State Weed Lab , The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
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Infestation
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
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Foliage
Ohio State Weed Lab , The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s)
John Cardina, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s)
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Fruit(s)
John Cardina, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
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Foliage
Theodore Webster, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
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Foliage
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Plant(s)
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage