3-74 Ranunculaceae, buttercup family

Marian C. Munro; Ruth E. Newell; Nicholas M. Hill

Authors

Marian C. Munro Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS
Ruth E. Newell E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Nicholas M. Hill Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Keywords:

Magnoliophyte, buttercup family, dicots, Actaea, Clematis, Ranunculus, Caltha, Hepatica, Coptis, Anemone, Thalictrum and Aquilegia, baneberry, windflower, thimbleweed, columbine, marsh-marigold, virgin's-bower, gold-thread, buttercup, crowfoot, water-crow

Abstract

Larkspur, Columbine, Clematis and Anenome are common showy garden favourites belonging to this family. Mostly herbaceous, 2500 species have been described, organized in 51–88 genera. Flowers are regular, except in the Larkspur and Monkshood, where sepals resemble petals in form and colour. Petals may be present or absent. Stamens are numerous; pistils 1–many, developing fruit of various forms. The stamens may be modified into a staminode, producing nectar in some species. It may be large and showy as in the Columbine or inconspicuous. Leaves are alternate and compound, with some exceptions. Several are woody and some are even vines. Use of images has been donated by Sean Blaney, David Mazerolle, Ross Hall, Beth Cameron, Martin Thomas, Sean Timpa, Catherine Pross and Marian Munro.

Author Biographies

Marian C. Munro, Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS

Curator of Botany (NSPM)

Ruth E. Newell, E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Curator of the E. C. Smith Herbarium (ACAD)

Nicholas M. Hill, Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Director; Adjunct Professor.