North Carolina Wildflowers, Shrubs, & Trees

by Jeffrey S. Pippen | Back to Jeff's Plant Page | Jeff's Nature Pages


Ranunculaceae

Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Durham Co., NC 1 May 2005

Widespread in NC in fairly rich soils, this plant attracts hummingbirds.

Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus) Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus)
Graham Co., NC
28 Apr 2006

Distinguished from the very similar R. acris (which this specimen may actually be) only by examining underground parts, this species is native to Europe and has become naturalized in fields, pastures, and roadsides statewide in NC.

Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus) Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus)
Graham Co., NC
28 Apr 2006
Hooked Buttercup (Ranunculus recurvatus) Hooked Buttercup (Ranunculus recurvatus)
Graham Co., NC
28 Apr 2006

Also known as Hooked Crowfoot or Blisterwort, the tiny fruits are "hooked". Found nearly statewide in NC (not on the immediate coast), the plant is poisonous if consumed in large quantities and has been used to treat a number of ailments.

Hooked Buttercup (Ranunculus recurvatus) Hooked Buttercup (Ranunculus recurvatus)
Graham Co., NC
28 Apr 2006

Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides) Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)
Graham Co., NC
28 Apr 2006
Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides) Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)
Durham Co., NC 2 Apr 2006

Found throughout the NC mountains and piedmont in rich woods, this species is often referred to as (Anemonella thalictroides)

Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora)
aka Sweet Autumn Virginsbower
New Hanover Co., NC
27 Aug 2005

This non-native vine (introduced from east Asia) is uncommon and can be found in disturbed areas statewide.

Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
Caswell Co., NC
17 June 2006

Common in the NC mountains and uncommon in the piedmont, Black Cohosh is found along rich forest edges and openings.

Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
Caswell Co., NC
17 June 2006
Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
Caswell Co., NC
17 June 2006
Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
Caswell Co., NC
17 June 2006

Annotated habitat and distribution information listed above is from Radford, Ahles, & Bell. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. UNC Press; and from personal observations and discussions with Will Cook, Harry LeGrand, and Bob Wilbur. Common names from personal experience and supplemented by the following resources USDA plants website, Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia, and NatureServe.


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Created on ... May 7, 2006 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com