Ranunculus limosella
Common name
mud buttercup
Family
Ranunculaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
RANLIM
Chromosome number
2n = 48
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley.
2012 | Not Threatened | Qualifiers: DP
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | At Risk – Declining | Qualifiers: DP
2004 | Gradual Decline
Distribution
Endemic. North and South Islands from Lake Whangape south.
Habitat
Coastal to lowland. Usually found in raupō (Typha orientalis) dominated wetlands where it grows in still moderately deep to deep water.
Features
Small perennial herb. Leaves in rosettes, tufted along a slender, creeping, buried stem; linear to spoon-shaped, not toothed, hairless, with long stems, up to 14cm long when permanently submerged. Flowers yellow to purple, solitary, 6-8mm diameter, with 4 linear petals and 4 spreading sepals; on stalks 1-2cm tall.
Similar taxa
Limosella lineata. Leaves of mud buttercup are linear to spoon-shaped, slightly curved, with a smaller leaf sheath that Limosella lineata, which has purely linear leaves. Other buttercups have toothed or lobed leaves. Mud buttercup has buried stems, while Limosella lineata stems creep along the surface.
Flower colours
Violet/Purple, Yellow, Red/Pink
Propagation technique
Easy to grow from fresh seed and rooted pieces. Best in a pond or kept in semi-submerged pots.
Threats
Habitat modification, eutrophication from uncontrolled nutrient run off, fertilisers, and drains are major porblems throughout its range. Invasive aquatic weeds are a problem in many areas.
Etymology
ranunculus: From the Latin ‘rana’ frog, meaning little frog and probably refers to the plants typical marshy habit where frogs abound
limosella: From the Latin ‘limosus’ mud, refers to the habit of growing in mud
Where To Buy
Not commercially available
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange (30 August 2003).
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Ranunculus limosella Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/ranunculus-limosella/ (Date website was queried)