Plants of
South Australia
Ranunculus papulentus
Ranunculaceae
Large River Buttercup
Display all 9 images
Regional Species Conservation Assessments per IBRA subregion.
Least concern
Near threatened
Rare
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically endangered
Extinct
Data deficient
Adelaide
Arkaroola
Ceduna
Coober Pedy
Hawker
Innamincka
Marla
Marree
Mount Gambier
Oodnadatta
Renmark
Wudinna
Keith
Yunta
Enlarge Map
Copy Map
Copy Map
Display IBRA region text

Botanical art

Kath Alcock paintings: 3

Etymology

Ranunculus from the diminutive of the Latin 'rana', meaning a frog, a name of a plant in the writings of Pliny and may refer to the many species found in wet places where frogs abound. Papulentus possible from the Latin 'papula' meaning pimple or swelling, referring to warty surface of the seed.

Distribution and status

Found in a few sites in the southern Mount Lofty ranges and the South-east, growing in freshwater wetland. Also found in New South Wales and Victoria. Native. Endangered in South Australia. The SA Seed Bank is propagating a number of plants from the single known extant population in the Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges region to investigate viable set for this population. Uncommon in the other States.
Herbarium regions: Murray, Southern Lofty, South Eastern
NRM regions: Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australian Murray-Darling Basin, South East
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

Rhizomatous or stoloniferous perennial to 25 cm high. Leaves mainly tufted at base with lamina palmatisect, to 5 cm long and wide; Seed embryo type is rudimentary.

Seed collection and propagation

Collect seeds between February and April. Pick the seeds from the cluster with your fingers, those turning a pale colour and come away easily from the stalk. Place the seeds in a tray and leave to dry for 1 to 2 weeks. No further cleaning is required. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place.