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Ranunculaceae:
Buttercup Family.jpg)
This family has about 2,000 species in 50 genera. They are often called the herbaceous counterpart to the Magnoliaceae because of the relatively simple structure of their flowers.
Like the magnolias, the buttercups represent a family of plants that have relatively unspecialized floral parts. Some taxonomists refer to families like this as primitive. However, it is important to remember this is only because they have retained their ancestral characteristics, not because evolution passed them up. In fact, many of these species appear to have coevolved greatly with pollinators (such as the Columbines). But, because all floral parts attach independently these plants are considered simple.
CAREFUL: Many of the species in this family are considered extremely toxic. The most poisonous plant in the world is a type of monks hood (Aconitum) from Nepal. Handling or smelling this plant can cause unwelcome symptoms. The North American (Aconitum columbianum) is also very dangerous. Because of the toxic alkaloids found in many of the plants in this family, it is best to avoid eating them unless you're with an expert.
Some of the most showy plants in this family are the Larkspurs (Delphinium sp) and Columbines (Aquilegia). They are usually found in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.
Systematics: As T.J. Elpel once wrote, "the most common pattern of the family is the apparent lack of pattern" (Elpel 2004). Its true. Sometimes the flowers are regular, sometimes irregular. Often they are bisexual. Probably the most reliable identifier is to look for multiple simple pistils. Only a few of the more "advanced" species have pistils that are fused into one. Also, look closely and you might see that some of the pistils have hooked tips.
Additionally, one might say they are arranged in 2, 5-merous cycles and the petals are nectariferous near the base.
Distinctive Species
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Links to more information
- Detailed Plant Description - Systematics by L. Watson and M. J. Dallwitz
- Botany in a Day - A book written by T.J. Elpel
Current Recognized Genera (compiled via Wikipedia & Elpel T.J.)
Aconitum - Monk's Hood, Wolfsbane
Actaea- Baneberry
Adonis - Pheasant's-Eye
Anemone - anemone
Anemonella - Rue-anemone, Windflower
Anemonopsis
Aquilegia - Columbine
Archiclematis
Asteropyrum
Barneoudia
Beesia
Calathodes
Callianthemum
Caltha - Marsh Marigold
Ceratocephala
Cimicifuga - Bugbane, Black Cohosh
Clematis - Clematis
Clematopsis
Consolida - Larkspur
Coptis - Gold Thread
Delphinium - Larkspur, Delphinium
Dichocarpum
Enemion - false rue anemone
Eranthis - winter aconite
Glaucidium - Japanese goldenseal
Hamadryas
Helleborus - hellebore
Hepatica - hepatica
Hydrastis - goldenseal
Isopyrum - rue anemone
Knowltonia
Komaroffia
Krapfia
Kumlienia
Laccopetalum
Leptopyrum
Megaleranthis
Metanomone
Miyakea
Myosurus - Mouse-tail
Naravelia
Nigella - Love-in-a-mist
Oreithales
Paraquilegia
Paroxygraphis
Pulsatilla - Pasque flower
Ranunculus - Buttercup
Semiaquilegia
Souliea
Thalictrum - Meadow-rue
Trautvetteria - Tassel-rue
Trollius - Globeflower
Urophysa
Xanthorhiza - Yellowroot
