Native American tribes have used Ranunculus abortivus medicinally for a variety of purposes (D. E. Moerman 1986).
Ranunculus abortivus L. is also known as the Little Leaf Buttercup, Small- Flowered Buttercup, and the Kidney Leaf Buttercup. The generic name, Ranunculus, is Latin for “little frog.” Rana is “frog,” the specific epithet, abortivus, is Latin for “abortive,” “imperfect,” or “missing” (Brandenburg & Tuftus, 2010). The plant is found in thirteen provinces of Canada and in all states except, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Utah (NatureServe, 2014). Ranunculus abortivus is listed as vulnerable in both Wyoming and the Yukon Territory in Canada (NatureServe, 2014). In the Labrador province of Canada, the herb is at risk and critically at risk in New Mexico (NatureServe, 2014).
Ranunculus abortivus is found in more polar climates of Alaska and the humid, subtropical climate of Florida, found growing in moist soils of woodlands, meadows, pastures, and fields (NatureServe, 2014; Matthews, Schweger & Hughes, 1990: 16; Kapoor & Löve, 1970: 575; Fassett, 1942: 520).
Ranunculus abortivus is an herb that is <70 cm tall. Stems from plants located in the northern most part of its distribution are covered with long soft hairs, and the farther south in the United States (any state below Colorado) the stems become hairless and smooth (Fassett, 1942: 520). The basal leaves are rounded, or kidney shaped, and nearly 2-6 cm long. Flowers have five yellow petals that are 1 cm in width (Brandenburg & Tuftus, 2010). Flowering occurs from mid-spring to late summer and the flowers are open for a week unless there is rain when they are only open during the daytime (U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey, 2015; GRIN, 2008). Ranunculus abortivus flowering period was recorded in the Washington, DC, area, over a thirty-year time span (Abu-Asab, Peterson, Shelter & Orli. 2001: 597). First flowering was advanced by 27 days (Abu-Asab, Peterson, Shelter & Orli. 2001: 607-608). The dry fruits are called achenes which are 0.25 cm in size (U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey, 2015) and are eaten by animals such as ducks, turkeys, voles, and chipmunks (Brandenburg & Tuftus, 2010).
Fasciation is an occurrence of flattening, splitting, and widening of the stem (Riddle, 1903: 346). When this malformation takes place, Ranunculus abortivus was found to have a reversed cylinder where the vascular tissue was located (Riddle, 1903: 347). Fasciation is a phenomenon that occurs due to an absence or abundance of nutrients (Riddle, 1903: 347).
Ranunculus abortivus is both toxic to humans and animal. During blooming season, Ranunculus abortivus is at peak toxicity. If a person were to come in contact with the plant, it would cause rashes, blisters, and skin irritation (Preacher & Westbrooks, 1986). If the rashes are exposed to sunlight it may cause pytophotodermatitis (Cronin, Ogden, Young & Laycock, 1978: 328-334). If ingested it can cause burning in the mouth and trachea, severe inflammation of the digestive system, dizziness, spasms, and paralysis. Although the plant is toxic, native tribes crushed and soaked the roots to later be placed on burns and cuts as a healing agent (Moerman, 1998). A study was done in the Yukon Territory Canada of an abandoned Mayo Indian Village located along a riverbank (Matthews, Schweger & Hughes, 1990: 16). In the detrital organic zone, seeds were recovered and dated to be approximately 29,600 +/- 300 years BP (before present) (Matthews, Schweger & Hughes, 1990: 19-20).
Ranunculus abortivus is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. Its common names include littleleaf buttercup,[1] small-flower crowfoot,[2] small-flowered buttercup,[3] and kidneyleaf buttercup.[4] It is widespread across much of North America, found in all ten Canadian provinces as well as Yukon and the Northwest Territories, and most of the United States, except Hawaii, Oregon, California, and parts of the Southwest.[1][5]
The specific epithet abortivus is an adjective from Latin aborior "pass away". It is unknown to what it refers, but it might describe the small petals that look like they have not fully developed.[6]
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Ranunculus abortivus produces erect stems 10 to 60 cm (4 to 24 in) tall. The leaves are variable in shape, and both stems and leaves are hairless. The basal leaves are kidney-shaped to circular and persistent, with scalloped margins, and the stem leaves are alternate and deeply lobed or divided. Those at the bottom have long petioles (stems), those at the top are shorter-stemmed to stemless, with narrow blades or lobes.[7]
Each stem can bear up to 50 flowers. The flower has five petals up to 1.5 to 3.5 mm (1⁄16 to 1⁄8 in) long,[8] with a ring of stamens around a round cluster of green carpels. The carpels develop into brown, shiny rounded and slightly flattened achenes with a tiny beak.[9][6] It grows in rich, moist woods and alluvial areas.[10]
The flowers produce both nectar and pollen, which is eaten or gathered by small bees, ladybugs, and hoverflies and other kinds of flies. The seeds and leaves are an occasional food source for animals. The seeds are eaten by small rodents, such as the eastern chipmunk and meadow vole. As in other buttercups, the leaves are mildly toxic, containing a blistering agent, but they are eaten by cottontail rabbits. Both the leaves and seeds are eaten by turkeys.[9]
The plant had a variety of uses among Native American groups. The Cherokee cooked and ate the leaves. They used it medicinally for abscesses and sore throat and as a sedative. The Iroquois used it for snakebite and poisoning, smallpox, and toothache.[11]
Ranunculus abortivus is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. Its common names include littleleaf buttercup, small-flower crowfoot, small-flowered buttercup, and kidneyleaf buttercup. It is widespread across much of North America, found in all ten Canadian provinces as well as Yukon and the Northwest Territories, and most of the United States, except Hawaii, Oregon, California, and parts of the Southwest.
The specific epithet abortivus is an adjective from Latin aborior "pass away". It is unknown to what it refers, but it might describe the small petals that look like they have not fully developed.
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