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       Oklahoma Wildflowers serves as an introduction to The Wonderful World of Oklahoma Wildflowers with a linked list to the site which which has general plant information and images useful for identification and educational purposes.
        Since space is limited here I will add photos and information about plants blooming during the current month. For more detailed information and images go to the linked address. Unless noted, all photos were taken in Oklahoma
        For detailed information on using the Wonderful World of Oklahoma Wildflowers scroll to the end of this page or click on a flower common name on the list.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Cursed Crowfoot

Cursed Crowfoot (Ranunculus sceleratus)

        The native Cursed Crowfoot or Celery-leafed Buttercup is found growing in moist or wet soils and shallow water, including swamps, bogs, and ditches, throughout the United States from April through the summer.
        This plant, growing to two feet tall, produces three eighths inch, five petaled yellow flowers with a prominent central oblong to spherical shaped green seed head, surrounded at it's base by multiple (twenty or more) stamens . The yellow petals turn white and disappear as the fruit matures. The basal leaves are smooth and three lobed.
        Although this plant has some medicinal qualities, the Cursed Crowfoot is very poisonous and can cause serious skin irritation and inflammation or sores on skin and serious inflammation to the mouth and tongue if chewed or swallowed. This plant is said to have been used by Native Americans to poison arrow points. This plant is also poisonous to cattle.
        Sceleratus: From the Latin word meaning polluted.

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