Scientific Family
Ranunculaceae
Synonyms
Ceratocephala falcata, Ceratocephala orthoceras, Ranunculus falcatus, Ranunculus testiculatus
Other common names
hornseed buttercup
curveseed buttercup
bur buttercup
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Introduced
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
2 to 4 inches
Riparian
No
A winter annual that emerges, flowers, and sets fruits in the spring. Plants often form dense mats that carpet large areas.
Annual with 3-parted basal leaves; yellow petals.
Habitat
Semi-deserts, foothills, meadows, woodlands, shrublands and disturbed areas, especially grasslands. This plant seems to be expanding its range rapidly in arid and semiarid areas.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1500
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers may have as few as 2 petals, instead of the usual 5 petals of this family. Flowers have 5 pale green sepals, 5 or more yellow stamens, and a dense head of greenish-yellow pistils. The flower petals are small, measuring less than 1/4 inch long.
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Short stems are sparsely covered with fine hairs. Basal leaf blades are divided into finger-like segments, resembling a bird’s foot. Each plant produces several erect stems up to 3-1/4 inches long.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Pale green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Dissected
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Soft, green heads of fruit turn brown and gray and produce a cluster of hard, spiny fruits.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Pale green to light brown
Achenes are up to 1/2 inch long and have 2 bulges on the base with a sharp beak on the end. Achenes are readily spread by humans and wildlife. The plant has become invasive in many areas.