Ranunculus laxicaulis

Stems erect or ascending, often rooting at proximal nodes, glabrous or sparsely pilose. Roots not thickened basally, glabrous. Proximal cauline leaf blades ovate to lanceolate or narrowly elliptic, 1.5-5.7 × 0.4-2.4 cm, base cordate to acute, margins finely denticulate or entire, apex broadly rounded to acuminate. Inflorescences: bracts linear to lanceolate or oblanceolate. Flowers: receptacle glabrous; sepals 4-5, spreading or reflexed from base, 2-3 × 1.5-3 mm, glabrous or pubescent; petals 4-6, 2-6 × 1-2 mm; nectary scales glabrous. Heads of achenes hemispheric to ovoid, 2-4 × 2-3 mm; achenes 0.8-1 × 0.8 mm, glabrous; beak deciduous, leaving stump 0.1-0.2 mm.

Flowering late winter-summer (Mar-Jul). Around ponds and ditches, in meadows, roadsides, and open woods; 0-100 m; Ala., Ark., Del., Ga., Ill., Ind., Kans., Ky., La., Md., Miss., Mo., N.J., N.C., Okla., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va.

From Flora of Indiana (1940) by Charles C. Deam

Indiana Coefficient of Conservatism: C = 6

Wetland Indicator Status: OBL