XThreadleaf crowfoot (Ranunculus trichophyllus)X
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Threadleaf crowfoot (Ranunculus trichophyllus), family Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)
Not a lot of information is available on this species even though it is widely distributed throughout North America. We are declaring it to be this species based on the simple fact that it is the most commonly found plant from this genus. There are a number of sub.species of which this could well be one. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has this on the identification difficulties of this plant:
"It has been shown that not only are some populations of Ranunculus subgenus Batrachium composed of complexes of polyploid clones attributable to a single taxon, but that other populations may be composed more or less entirely of hybrid combinations involving up to three parents and indistinguishable from each other or unhybridised plants without molecular analysis (Lansdown 2007). Several current and conflicting taxonomies (Castroviejo et al. 1986, Stace 1997, Jonsell 2000, Rothmaler 2005, van der Meijden 2005) co-exist and are applied in differing ways in Europe and it is clear from published information that both the identification guidance and recording are inconsistent between countries, regions and taxa. Assessment of the taxa ?most widely recognised? against the Red List Criteria is, at best, hopeful and an attempt has been made to explain any conclusions reached. Distribution data are mainly derived from the only truly critical account (Cook 1966) although it is clear that even that includes some inaccuracies. The exceptions to this are R. circinatus and R. hederaceus which may, at times, be misidentified but are taxonomically discrete."
As of 2013 this species is classed as Least Concern at global level as it is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats. There are no recorded medicinal or Native American uses of Threadleaf crowfoot.
Flower -
Plant location: Found at Tarryall Creek, South Park area, Colorado, on August 24, 2014. Although we did not catch any fish at the creek (not through lack of tyring:), we were pleased to find this new species for our collection. The plants are widespread throughout North America and Canada. The species can be found in the following United State: AK , AZ , CA , CO , CT , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , MA , MD , ME , MN , MT , ND , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OR , PA , RI , SD , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY.Plant -
Bloom season: May through September. Per ICUN, R. trichophyllus will occur in most types of mesotrophic to eutrophic water body, from dune slacks and drainage ditches to ponds, lakes, streams and slow-flowing rivers. We were interested to note that a good number of blooms were completely submerged in the creek waters and appeared unaffected.Foliage -
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