Texas Wildbuds
Ranunculus sceleratus
(Cursed Crowfoot)
Ranunculus sceleratus, Bonham State Park, Fannin Co. 4637
Ranunculus sceleratus, Bonham State Park, Fannin Co. 4644
Ranunculus sceleratus, Bonham State Park, Fannin Co. 4657
Ranunculus sceleratus, Bonham State Park, Fannin Co. 4652
| Scientific Name | Ranunculus sceleratus | USDA PLANTS Symbol | RASC3 |
| Common Name | Cursed Crowfoot, Celery-leaf Buttercup | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 18576 |
| Family | Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Marshes, ditchbanks, swampy meadows, seasonal wetlands in open areas, etc. Plant: Upright annual or short-lived, many-branched perennial 8 to 24 inches tall; stems are light to medium green, smooth, hollow and filled with acrid (and irritating) sap. Leaves: Basal leaves are kidney-shaped in outline, up to 2-3/8 inches long and wide, 3 to 5 main lobes and blunt teeth and/or smaller secondary lobes along the margins; on petioles up to 1 inch long; alternate stem leaves are kidney-shaped in outline, becoming smaller and with 3 narrower lobes on shorter petioles ascending the stem. Inflorescence: Small, bright yellow flowers atop stems up to 1/3-inch across, each with 5 yellow petals; in the center there is a dense cluster of green pistils that is round to ovoid in shape becoming more elongated and cylindrical as the flower matures; pistils surrounded by a ring of stamens with yellow anthers; 5 greenish-yellow sepals below are about 1/8-inch long and spreading or bent downward. Bloom Period: March to June. References: "Wildflowers of Texas" by Michael Eason, "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, SEINet, Illinois Wildflowers and Minnesota Wildflowers. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2026
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