Entry From
Flora of North America, Vol 3,
Names
Ranunculus ficaria Linnaeus [family RANUNCULACEAE], Sp. Pl., 1: 550. 1753
Ranunculus ficaria subsp. bulbifer Lambinon [family RANUNCULACEAE]
Ranunculus ficaria subsp. calthifolius (Reichenbach) Arcangeli [family RANUNCULACEAE]
Ranunculus ficaria var. bulbifera Albert [family RANUNCULACEAE]
Discussion
In North America, Ranunculus ficaria seems to be expanding its range rapidly in areas with cool mesic climates.
The species is extremely variable (especially in leaf size and stem posture), and many attempts have been made to divide it into varieties or subspecies (see P. D. Sell 1994). The different forms, however, intergrade extensively and the varieties are often impossible to distinguish.