Class Xlli. Order VI. 227 



especially at their ends. Uppermost leaves in three entire, 

 linear segments. Stem erect, branching 1 . Flower stalks round, 

 not furrowed. Calyx spreading under the petals, not reflexed. 

 Petals large, shining, yellow. Seeds in globular heads. This 

 plant spreads rapidly, and is exceedingly troublesome in meadows 

 and mowing ground. Being cut with hay it would no doubt be 

 pernicious to cattle, were not its acrimony lost by drying. It 

 flowers all summer. Perennial. 



RANUNCULUS REPENS. L. Creeping Crowfoot. 



Calyx spreading ; flower stalks furrowed ; scions 

 creeping ; leaves compound. L. 



The flowers of this and the two last are very similar, and con- 

 founded under the common name of Buttercups. An attention 

 to the calyx and flower stalks readily distinguishes them. In 

 this the leaves are mostly ternate, lobed and toothed, often mark- 

 ed with a light spot at their sinuses. The plant sends out long, 

 prostrate stems or runners, which sufficiently distinguish it from 

 the others. Flower stalks furrowed as in Ranunculus bulbosus, 

 calyx spreading as in Ranunculus acris. Petals bright yellow, 

 often emarginate. Shady places. Flowering all summer. Pe- 

 rennial. 



RANUNCULUS PENNSYLVANICUS. L. Bristly Crowfoot. 



Rigidly hispid ; stem erect ; leaves ternate, trifid, 

 cut and toothed ; calyx reflexed ; styles of the fruit 

 straight. 



A large, branching, small flowered species, covered throughout 

 with stiff horizontal bristles. Petals yellow, not longer than the 

 calyx. Fruit in oblong heads. In woods and meadows. June. 

 August. The plant, intended by Pursh under this name, is pro^ 

 bably a different species. 



RANUNCULUS FLUVIATILIS. White, Water Ranunculus. 



Stem filiform, floating ; leaves all immersed and ca- 

 pillary ; petals five, oblong, remote. 



Stem long, slender, round, smooth, jointed, hardly tubular, 

 floating. Each joint gives off a loaf which is petioled, repeated- 

 ly ternate, and capillacpo-multipartite. There are usually two 



