Plant A Day – Littleleaf Buttercup

Littleleaf Buttercup
Ranunculus abortivus

Littleleaf Buttercup is an unassuming native plant that grows all over the place.

Here’s an interesting tidbit.  The genus name for buttercups is Ranunculus, which is Latin for ‘little frog’.  This refers to the fact that a lot of the buttercups grow in wet places amongst the frogs.

It grows in disturbed areas as well as nice woodlands

The basal leaf is rather kidney shaped, hence its other common name – Kidneyleaf Buttercup