WATERBUTTERCUP OR CROWFOOT 



Ranunculus spp. 



Plants in this genus are not necessarily true submersed aquatics, 

 but are amphibious, growing as well on damp soil as in the submersed 

 condition. These plants are represented by both annuals and perennials 

 having alternate leaves on either erect or creeping stems. Often in the 

 emersed forms, the leaves will arise from a basal or rosettelike point 

 of attachment. Submersed leaves are finely dissected or with divided 

 lobes running to common points on the leaf stem (petiole), giving the 

 appearance of a crow's foot (insert 1). The emersed leaves, which are 

 not always present, vary with species, and are broader and less finely 

 divided than submersed leaves. 



Flowers are produced above the water surface. The flower petals 

 are usually yellow and rarely white. Some aquatic forms produce 

 flowers that have white sepals (the leaflike structures on the basal 

 portions of flowers) and yellow petals, giving the appearance of white 

 flowers with yellow centers. Various species produce solitary flowers, 

 while others develop in clusters. The beaked nutlike fruit pods are 

 numerous. 



Crowfoot is often found in irrigation systems, usually in clear, 

 low-velocity waters. It seldom develops extensively enough to create 

 a serious hydraulic problem. Waterbuttercup has been reported to be 

 a plant indicative of good water quality, as it apparently will not 

 tolerate adverse conditions as readily as many aquatic weed species. 



22 



