Scientific Family
Ranunculaceae
Synonyms
Cyrtorhyncha cymbalaria, Halerpestes cymbalaria
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 6 inches
Riparian
Yes
Low growing, creeping perennial with shiny green, heart-shaped, lobed leaves, mostly basal. Yellow flowers have 5 petals and 5 sepals and are to 1/2 inch wide. A green, oblong seed head rises to 1/2 inch from the center of the flower.
Perennial. Roots fibrous with long slender stolons that root at the nodes. Leaves all basal; leaf blades nearly circular, with margins of very small, low, rounded teeth, not parted or cleft. Flower petals yellow.
Habitat
Grows in muddy sites of bogs, marshes, stream banks, and pools; often saline.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Flowers are yellow with 5 petals, 5 sepals and an oval, green seed head that rises to 1/2 inch long from the center.
Flower color
Yellow, yellowish-green
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are shiny green, heart-shaped to nearly circular, with margins of rounded teeth.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Triangular
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Dry seed in a short, cylindrical cluster to 1/2 inch long.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Tan
Seeds are oblong and ribbed, with a short, straight beak.