Ranunculus acris subsp. acris
Meadow ButtercupVariable glabrous or pubescent rhizomatous perennial to 70 cm high. Basal leaves tufted with petioles 3–28 cm long; lamina orbicular to reniform in outline, palmately (3–)5–7-partite, 3–15 cm diam., glabrous, pilose or hirsute, segments usually 3-lobed, irregularly toothed. Flowers many, on much branched flowering stems; sepals 5, appressed to petals, ovate, pubescent on back; petals 5, spreading, broadly obovate, 6–11 mm long, (5–)8–12 mm wide, golden-yellow, glossy; nectary lobe c. 1mm long, obovate, almost completely free; stamens c. 40–75. Achenes 25–60, ± orbicular, 2–3.5 mm long, weakly biconvex, smooth, margins thickened; beak 0.2–0.5 mm long, straight or curved. Flowers Oct.–Mar.
Strz. Also naturalised Tas. Native throughout Eurasia. Currently known from a single infestation in pasture paddock near Poowong in south eastern Victoria. .
Subspecies acris is distinguished by having a shortly creeping rhizome and deeply divided leaves.
