Ranunculus ficaria, L.

83. R. ficaria L. View in CoL , Sp. Pl. 550 (1753) View Cited Treatment

( Ficaria verna Hudson , F. ranunculoides Roth ).

Perennial 5-30 cm. Some roots fibrous, some forming fusiform tubers. Leaves broadly ovate, cordate, obtusely angled, shallowly crenate or rarely dentate. Flowers 15-50 mm in diameter. Receptacle pubescent. Sepals 3. Honeyleaves 8-12, ovate. Achenes 2-5 mm, ovoid, keeled, pubescent; beak minute. Europe. All except Az Fa Is Sb.

This species shows a considerable amount of morphological and cytological variation. It is possible to recognize the following subspp. which, however, are not always clear-cut.

1 Stems at flowering-time very short, the leaves crowded at the

base; achenes hirsute (a) subsp. calthifolius 1 Stems elongated at flowering time, leaves not crowded in a

rosette; achenes puberulent or pubescent

2 Bulbils present in the leaf-axils after flowering; flowers up to c. 20 mm in diameter, with obovate-oblong not overlapping honey-leaves (b) subsp. bulbifer

2 Bulbils not present in the leaf-axils; flowers usually more than 20 mm in diameter, with broadly obovate overlapping honey-leaves

3 Sepals green, with narrow scarious margin; flowers 20- 30 mm in diameter; achenes puberulent (c) subsp. ficaria

3 Sepals yellowish-white; flowers 30-50 mm in diameter; achenes pubescent (d) subsp. flcariiformis