Ranunculus bulbosus L.
St. Anthony's Turnip| Category |
|---|
| Forb/Herb |
Description
Height
St. Anthony's Turnip grows to 2 feet (0.6 m) tall.Stem
The stems are erect, from 8-24 inches in height but generally more prostrate in turfgrass and lawns. Stems swell at the base to resemble a bulb and are occasionally hairy.Leaves
Basal leaves occur on long petioles and are divided into three lobed parts. Stem leaves are generally smaller than the basal leaves and arranged alternately along the stem. Stem leaves are also less distinctively lobed than the basal leaves.Flowers
Single flowers occur on flower stalks at the ends of stems. Flowers range from 0.5-1.5 inches wide and consist of 5-7 obovate, glossy, yellow petals from April through June. Sepals are strongly reflexed.Fruit
The fruit is an achene.Life History
St. Anthony’s Turnip, also called Crowfoot and Bulbous Buttercup, is a low-growing perennial with divided leaves and distinctive yellow flowers. It is a member of the Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family. Flowering occurs April through June. The base of the plant swells into a corm just below the soil line, resembling a bulb.Habitat
St. Anthony’s Turnip grows in open pastures, orchards, fields, and along roadsides.Origin and Distribution
St. Anthony’s Turnip was originally introduced to the US from Western Europe. It grows in lawns, pastures, and fields, preferring nutrient-poor, well-drained soils. Although it doesn't generally grow in cropland or improved grassland, it is often found in hay fields and in coastal grasslands.Other States Where Invasive: AL, AR, CA, CT, DC, DE, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WA, WV
Sources
Assorted authors. State noxious weed lists for 46 states. State agriculture or natural resource departments.Haragan, P.D. 1991. Weeds of Kentucky and adjacent states: a field guide. The University Press of Kentucky. Lexington, Kentucky.
Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council. 1996. Invasive exotic pest plants in Tennessee (October 1999). Research Committee of the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council. Tennessee.