celery-leaf buttercup

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• blister buttercup
• cursed buttercup
• cursed crowfoot
• Celery-Leaved Buttercup
• celery buttercup
• celery-leaf buttercup
• celery-leaf crowfoot
• marsh crowfoot
• poison buttercup

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hecatonia scelerata
• Batrachium sceleratum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ranunculales, it is classified under the family Ranunculaceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement is completed within the genus Ranunculus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Its presence is also well-documented throughout the landscapes of Finland. Furthermore, the species is established within the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, the plant completes its northern range by inhabiting the terrain of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ranunculus sceleratus is defined by its preference for saturated environments, commonly colonizing habitats such as lakes, meadows that remain consistently wet, rivers, and swamps. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, capable of thriving in environments ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 2400 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

lakes, meadows: wet, rivers, swamps

Life history

The life history of Ranunculus sceleratus is characterized by its classification as an annual lifecycle plant, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. Functioning as a therophyte, the species survives the unfavorable periods through hardy seeds rather than persistent vegetative structures. It exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it completes its seasonal cycle. With a relatively short lifespan of approximately 0.8 years, the plant focuses its biological energy on rapid growth and efficient reproduction to ensure the next generation before the onset of dormant conditions.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Lifespan :

0.8

Morphology

The morphology of Ranunculus sceleratus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine, and it functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of its habitat and positioning, it is described as terrestrial, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior. The plant exhibits significant variation in size, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 1 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.42 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.422666666666667 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ranunculus sceleratus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of many temperate herbaceous plants. The plant exhibits specific morphological adaptations in its foliage, with a mean leaf size of 11.15375 cm² and a mean leaf width of 10 cm, which reaches a maximum and minimum value of 10 cm. The leaf length is recorded at a maximum of 8 cm. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 341.73 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its resource allocation strategy. Notably, Ranunculus sceleratus is a non-carnivorous species, relying on standard autotrophic processes rather than the capture of prey for nutrient acquisition.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf size mean:

11.15375 cm²

Leaf width mean:

10 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

341.73 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ranunculus sceleratus is characterized by sexual processes through bisexual flowers, with asexual reproduction being absent. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in June. Pollination is driven by biotic syndromes, specifically involving insects such as flies. Within its reproductive cycle, self-fertilization is present. The plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. These fruits are relatively small, with a mean length of 0.105 cm (ranging from 0.1 to 0.12 cm) and a mean width of 0.1 cm. The resulting seeds are minute, possessing a mean mass of approximately 0.00614458333333333 g (ranging from 0.0001 to 0.00026 g), a mean length of 2.2 mm, and a mean width of 0.8 mm. The seed volume is consistent at 0.065 mm³. Following maturation, the dispersal syndrome is hydrochorous, meaning the seeds are dispersed by water.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.12 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.105 cm

Fruit length min:

0.1 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width mean:

0.1 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

fly

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

2.2 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00026 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00614458333333333 g

Seed mass min:

1e-04 g

Seed volume max:

0.065 mm³

Seed width mean:

0.8 mm

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ranunculus sceleratus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anemonin.

Anemonin

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Activities

Ranunculus sceleratus has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticarcinogenic, Antioxidant, Antiprotozoal.

Antibacterial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticarcinogenic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiprotozoal

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)