Ranunculaceae

Plant Sex: Flowers bisexual, rarely unisexual (Thalictrum).

Flowers: Actinomorphic and zygomorphic. Numerous spirally arranged parts Gynoecium apocarpous.

Inflorescence: Flowers solitary, in cymes, racemes, panicles.

Fruits: Follicles, achenes, berries.

Habit: Annual and perennial herbs or vines (Clematis).

Leaves: Usually alternate, simple or compound, mostly without stipules.

Examples:
Caltha (marsh marigold)

C. palustris. Habit of plant in flower, flower, flower L.S.

Ranunculus (buttercups)

R. septentrionalis. Habit of plant in flower, flower close-up, flower L.S.
R. acris. Flowering shoots, flower, fruits
R. recurvatus. Habit of plant in flower, flowers and young fruits

Aquilegia (columbine)

A. canadensis. Habit of plant in flower, flower, flower L.S., young fruit, mature fruit and seeds

Delphinium (larkspur)

D. tricorne. Flowering shoot
D. ajacis. Inflorescence, flowers, flower L.S.

Thalictrum (rue)

T. thalictroides [formerly Anemonella]. Habit of plants in flower, flower close-up,
T. revolutum. Habit of carpellate plant in flower, carpellate flowers, staminate plant in flower
T. dasycarpum. Fruits (achenes)

Anemone (pasque flower, as well as former Hepatica, liverleaf)

A. virginiana. Habit of plant in flower, flower to fruit developmental series, flower L.S.
A. cylindrica. Flower L.S., fruits (achenes)
A. patens. Plants in flower
A. blanda. Habit of plant in cultivation.

Clematis (virgin bower, leather flower)

C. virginiana. Habit of plant in flower, fruits (achenes with plumose style)
C. columbiana. Habit of plant in flower in New Mexico, flower with petal and stamens removed
C. fremontii. Habit of plant in flower. This and other members of subg. Viorna have urceolate flowers.
Many species of Clematis, such as C. jackmanii or this white flowered hybrid, are cultivated ornamentals. Even the fruiting plants are attractive when massed on a trelis.

Helleboris (hellebore)

H. argutifolius. Habit of plant in flower.
H. purpurascens. Flower, flower L.S.

SIUC / College of Science / Elements of Plant Systematics
URL: http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/PLB304/Lecture13Ranun/Ranunculaceae.html
Last updated: 27-Feb-08 / dln