Stems erect, never rooting nodally, hispid or glabrous, base not bulbous. Roots never tuberous. Basal leaf blades cordate to reniform in outline, 3-parted or sometimes 3-foliolate, 1.8-5.6 × 2.8-8.3 cm, segments again lobed, ultimate segments elliptic to lanceolate, margins toothed or crenate-toothed, apex acute to rounded-obtuse. Flowers: receptacle glabrous; sepals reflexed or sometimes spreading, 2-3.5 × 1-2 mm, pubescent; petals 5, yellow, 2-4(-6) × 1-2(-3) mm. Heads of achenes globose or hemispheric, 4-7 × 4-7 mm; achenes 2-2.8 × 1.6-2 mm, glabrous or sparsely hispid, margin forming narrow rib 0.1-0.2 mm wide; beak persistent, lanceolate, curved, hooked, 1.2-2.5 mm. 2 n = 28.
Flowering spring-summer (Apr-Aug). Moist meadows or woods, often along streams; 0-3400 m; Alta., B.C.; Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.Mex., Oreg., Wash., Wyo.
Plants with hispid stems and achenes are often separated as Ranunculus uncinatus var. parviflorus ; these two characters are poorly correlated, however, and sometimes vary between plants in a single collection. Ranunculus uncinatus was reported from northeastern Alberta and adjacent Northwest Territories by H. J. Scoggan (1978-1979, part 3). The specimens have hairy receptacles and straight, broad achene beaks; they apparently represent small individuals of R . macounii .
Some Native Americans used Ranunculus uncinatus as an antrirheumatic, a diaphoretic, a disinfectant, and an orthopedic aid, as well as in herbal steam baths intended to soothe sore muscles and rheumatism (D. E. Moerman 1986).
Duration: Perennial
Nativity: Native
Lifeform: Forb/Herb
General: Annual or perennial with erect stems that never root nodally, herbage glabrous to sparsely hirsute.
Leaves: Basal leaves cordate to reniform in outline, 3-parted to 3-foliolate, 1.8-5.6 cm long by 2.8-8 cm wide, segments again lobed, with ultimate segments elliptic to lanceolate, margins toothed or crenate-toothed, apex acute to rounded obtuse, cauline leaves sometimes larger than basal ones.
Flowers: Glabrous receptacle with reflexed to sometimes spreading sepals, 2-3.5 mm long by 1-2 mm wide, yellowish green and pubescent, 5 yellow petals, 2-4 mm long by 1-2 mm wide.
Fruits: Globose fruiting heads with 5-30 achenes per head, overall 4-7 mm, achenes each 2-3 mm by 1.5-2 mm, glabrous to sparsely hispid, with persistent, curved or hooked beak.
Ecology: Found in moist soils, often in shaded areas along streams and in deep woods from 7,000-8,500 ft (2134-2591 m); flowers May-July.
Notes: The hooked beak is distinctive.
Ethnobotany: Used as a wash for stiff, sore muscles and rheumatism, as a disinfectant, but some consider the plant to be a skin irritant.
Etymology: Ranunculus is from Latin rana, little frog, for the moist habit, while uncinatus means hooked at the end.
Synonyms: None
Editor: SBuckley, 2010
