Ranunculaceae the Buttercup Family BUTTERCUP Family Ca3-X Co0-A G[1,3,5]

Leaves palmately veined, lobed, or divided Leaf bases sheathing Vegetative Features Herbs Leaves alternate Leaves palmately veined, lobed, or divided Leaf bases sheathing Sheathing leaf base in Ranunculus Palmately divided leaf of tall buttercup

Reproductive Features Flowers radially symmetrical Androecium of many stamens Gynoecium of many simple pistils

Flower parts are commonly inserted on an elongate receptacle

Gynoecium of many simple pistils Fruit an achene

Other fruit types in the Ranunculaceae ... Fruit a berry (doll’s eyes) Fruit a follicle (monkshood)

Economic importance: This family is not particularly significant economically, but many are toxic to both humans and livestock Golden seal is much used in herbal medicine Some are popular ornamentals, e.g., monkshood, clematis, larkspur Columbine is the state flower of Colorado

Aconitum napellus monkshood, aconite, or wolfsbane Poisonous! Monkshood has a long history of use as an ornamental, in witchcraft, and in medicinal botany. The active component is the alkaloid aconitine.

Japanese anemone