swamp buttercup

The swamp buttercup (Ranunculus septentrionalis) is a common perennial herb found in low, wet areas of North America. It is characterized by thick, fibrous roots, and branches that often trail or spread. The plant features mostly ternate leaves and bright yellow flowers.1

Buttercups, belonging to the genus Ranunculus, comprise about 300 species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae. They are found worldwide, with a particular abundance in the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Most buttercups have either tuberous or fibrous roots and produce solitary or loosely clustered flowers with five green sepals and typically five to many glossy yellow petals. The leaves of buttercups can vary significantly depending on the species.2