Flora Pittsburghensis

Category: Ranunculaceae

  • Canada Anemone (Anemone canadensis)

    Anemone canadensis
    Photographed May 22.

    Also known as Meadow Anemone, and by some botanists placed in the genus Anemonastrum (making it neuter, Anemonastrum canadense). This is a rare plant in the Pittsburgh area; here in the southern extremity of its range, the stations are sparse and widely separated. This plant was blooming in Bird Park, Mount Lebanon. There is a possibility that it was intentionally introduced, but the USDA PLANTS database does record Anemone canadensis as native to Allegheny County.

    Anemone canadensis

    For a description of the species, see the Anemone canadensis reference page.

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  • Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)

    Photographed May 4.

    The common buttercup that invades our lawns and delights children. These were growing in Beechview.

    For a description of the species, see the Ranunculus repens reference page (and try saying “Ranunculus repens reference” three times fast).

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  • False Rue-Anemone (Enemion biternatum)

    False Rue-Anemone (Enemion biternatum)
    Photographed April 11.

    A plant that should not be here, but this patch on the Trillium Trail has been expanding and now covers quite a bit of ground in the woods. Although this is generally a Midwestern plant, its range becomes spotty and discontinuous at its eastern extremity, and there are recorded stations east of us; so it is likely that this is just one of those discontinuous spots.

    False Rue-Anemone (Enemion biternatum)

    For a description of the species, see the Enemion biternatum reference page.

    False Rue-Anemone (Enemion biternatum)
    False Rue-Anemone (Enemion biternatum)
    False Rue-Anemone (Enemion biternatum)

  • Early Meadow Rue (Thalictrum dioicum)

    Male plant of Thalictrum dioicum
    Male plant, photographed April 11

    As the species name tells us, this is a dioecious plant, meaning that each plant is either male or female—a rarity among flowering plants. The male flowers, with their dangling stamens that jingle silently in the breeze, are the ones we notice; the female flowers are more obscure. These plants were blooming in Fox Chapel above the parking area for the southern end of the Trillium Trail.

    Female plant of Thalictrum dioicum
    Female plant

    For a description of the species, see the Thalictrum dioicum reference page.

    Male plant
    Male plant
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  • Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna)

    Single flower of Ficaria verna
    Photographed April 1.

    The relentless march of this invader continues: these plants were growing in parts of Bird Park, Mount Lebanon, where they had not been seen two or three years ago. A lush carpet of Lesser Celandine may be an environmental nuisance, but it is a beautiful sight.

    Small patch of Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna)

    For a description of the species, see the Ficaria verna reference page.

    Single flower of Ficaria verna from the side