Much like no. 16 [Ranunculus pensylvanicus L.f.]; some of the roots conspicuously thickened; lvs sparsely villous with straight hairs 1-2 mm, the basal broadly ovate in outline, broadly cuneate to rounded or truncate at base, or a few occasionally subcordate; 2n=16. Dry or moist woods; Mass. to N.C. and W.Va.; s. O. to Tenn., w. to S.D. and Okla. Apr., May.
Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.
There are seven reports for this species, all from the southern half of the state. My specimens are from near the bases of slopes wooded with sugar maple and from the crests of wooded ridges. It is either very local or so inconspicuous that it is overlooked.