Small-flowered Buttercup
Ranunculus abortivus
native
Other Names:
Littleleaf Butterfcup, Small-flowered Crowfoot, Kidneyleaf Buttercup, Kidney-leafed Crowfoot, Smooth-leaved Crowfoot
The Small-flowered Buttercup is a native perennial plant found throughout Virginia. The flowers produce nectar and pollen, which attract ladybugs, hoverflies, small bees, ants, and other insects. The seeds are eaten by chipmunks and voles. Buttercups are in the genus Ranunculus, which has about 500 species. The genus comes from two Latin words meaning "little frog", because many buttercups grow in moist places, like little frogs. The scientific species name of the Small-flowered Buttercup is abortivus, which means "showing arrested development" — probably because the petals are quite small.
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