An aquatic buttercup with small white flowers held above the water. Yellow flower centers contrast with five white petals, while finely divided foliage grows beneath the surface.
White Water Crowfoot field photographs. Select the photo to open the slideshow.
Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family)
Growth: Aquatic perennial
Bloom: Spring–summer
Habitat: Shallow water in ponds, lakes, marshes and slow-moving streams
Other common names
Water Buttercup · Long-beak Buttercup
Bloom timing varies by location. Some references treat the eastern plant as Ranunculus longirostris or R. aquatilis var. diffusus.
Explore photographed sightings and their locations.
The tiny oval leaves carpeting the water in several photos are duckweed, a separate plant. Similar white-flowered water crowfoots may require leaf and fruit details for a finer identification.
Habitat
Shallow water in ponds, lakes, marshes and slow-moving streams
Bloom period
Spring through summer, depending on location and conditions.
Native in North America, including the Upper Midwest.
Documented in these states: Minnesota and Wisconsin. This is a selected list, not the full range.
Photographed at Pickerel Lake Fen, Wisconsin (DSCN1472).
Observations show reported sightings; they do not define the plant’s complete native range.
Study the photographs and field notes for White Water Crowfoot, then practice identifying this and other wildflowers in the quiz.
