Ranunculus polyanthemos L. ssp. ´polyanthemoides (Boreau) Ahlfv., two basal leaves and two petals (Finland, Lohja, Jalassaari, 1991). – Image: Harri Harmaja (scanned from dried specimen). – This plant is possibly referable to the above taxon, or it may be a backcross towards ssp. polyanthemos. I have found this morph in a few places in Lohja, growing on more or less calcareous ground accompanied by typical R. polyanthemos ssp. polyanthemos. It differs from the latter: (i) the leaf lobes are distinctly broader, (ii) the flowers are bigger, (iii) the petals are usually shallowly 2-4-lobed, and (iv) the beak of the achene is apparently a bit longer. In the plants of another locality (Lohja, Hermala, 1993), the basal sinus of the lamina of the basal leaves is narrow. I do not know whether the tendency of the petals to be slightly lobed is significant; mentions of it has not been seen in the literature.
Created August 30, 2004.