DESCRIPTIVE MANUAL 13S> 



RANUNCULACEAE, BUTTERCUP FAMILY. 



The plants of this family are acrid. There are few economic 

 plants among them ; some like the peony, columbine, buttercup, lark- 

 spur, and aconite are cultivated for ornamental purposes. 



Small-flowered Crowfoot (Ranunculus abortivus L.). 



Description. — A small, slightly pubescent, succulent biennial; 

 from 6 in.-2 ft. high with multiple roots; root leaves roundish or 

 kidney-shaped, crenate ; stem leaves often 3-5-lobed or parted, mostly 

 toothed; petals small, pale yellow; shorter than the reflexed calyx; 

 carpels minute. 



Fig. 79. Crowfoot {Ranunculus abortivus). Common in woodland pastures, 



pastures. 

 (Photographed by Hart.) 



