Fan-leaf water-crowfoot (Ranunculus circinatus, Fl. Oxon.: 175 (1794))

Family: Ranunculaceae

Author: Sibth.

Bibliography: Fl. Oxon.: 175 (1794)

Year: 1794

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ranunculus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to C. Asia

Description

Ranunculus circinatus, commonly known as the Fan-leaf water-crowfoot, is an intriguing aquatic plant that belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. As its name suggests, the Fan-leaf water-crowfoot is particularly noted for its distinctive, fan-shaped leaves that can be found submerged in water bodies across its natural habitat.

This perennial plant is native to a broad range that stretches from Europe to Central Asia. Its ability to thrive in aquatic environments such as ponds, slow-moving rivers, and ditches makes it a prevalent species within its range. The Fan-leaf water-crowfoot typically flourishes in nutrient-rich waters where it can exhibit its elegant, finely divided leaves, which are adapted to underwater life.

During its blooming season, the Ranunculus circinatus produces small, white flowers that float on the water surface. These flowers, though modest in size, contribute to the overall delicate aesthetic of the plant. The blossoms usually feature five petals, a characteristic trait of the Ranunculaceae family. The plant’s reproductive system ensures that pollination is primarily facilitated by water movement and aquatic invertebrates.

Historically, Ranunculus circinatus was first documented in 1794, as cited in “Flora Oxoniensis” by Sibthorp, a valuable botanical reference. This documentation underscores the longstanding recognition and study of this species within the botanical community.

The Fan-leaf water-crowfoot not only plays a vital role in its ecosystem by providing habitat and oxygenating aquatic environments but also adds to the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits. Conservation of this species and its habitat is important, given its ecological significance and the pressure on freshwater systems from pollution and climate change.

When observing a body of water adorned with the delicate leaves and flowers of Ranunculus circinatus, one cannot help but appreciate the intricate beauty and fundamental ecological role of this aquatic plant.

Common Names

Eng: fan-leaf water-crowfoot, water-crowfoot, fan-leaved water-crowfoot, various-leaved crowfoot
Dan: kredsbladet vandranunkel
Deu: spreizender hahnenfuß, spreizender wasser-hahnenfuß, spreizender wasserhahnenfuß, starrer wasserhahnenfuss
Swe: hjulmöja, pyörösätkin, hjulbladsmöja, hjulranunkel
Fin: pyörösätkin
Fra: renoncule divariquée
Nld: stijve waterranonkel
Nno: hjulvassoleie
Nob: hjulvassoleie
Cym: crafanc-y-frân wyntyllog, egyllt cylchol-ddail
En: Fan-leaf water-crowfoot, Water-crowfoot, Fan-leaved Water-crowfoot, Various-Leaved Crowfoot, Fan-leaved Water-goosefoot
Be: Казялец цвердалісты
Cs: Lakušník okrouhlý
Da: Kredsbladet vandranunkel
Nl: Stijve waterranonkel
Et: Sõõr-särjesilm
Fi: Pyörösätkin
Fr: Renoncule divariquée, Renoncule en crosse, Renoncule circinée
De: Spreizender Wasser-Hahnenfuß, Spreizender Wasserhahnenfuß, Starrer Wasserhahnenfuss, Spreizender Hahnenfuß, Starrer Wasserhahnenfuß
It: Ranuncolo circinnato
Nb: Hjulvassoleie
Nn: Hjulvassoleie
Pl: Jaskier krążkolistny
Ru: Шелковник жестколистный
Sv: Hjulmöja, Pyörösätkin, Hjulbladsmöja, Hjulranunkel
Cy: Crafanc-y-frân wyntyllog, Egyllt Cylchol-Ddail

Synonyms

• Ranunculus divaricatus subsp. pseudocircinatus ((Arv.-Touv.) P.Fourn.)
• Batrachium foeniculaceum (Krecz.)
• Ranunculus circinatus var. pseudocircinatus ((Arv.-Touv.) P.Fourn.)
• Batrachium circinatum ((Sibth.) Spach)
• Ranunculus aquatilis var. stagnatilis ((Wallr.) DC.)
• Ranunculus aquatilis var. circinatus ((Sibth.) Hartm.)
• Ranunculus foeniculaceus (Gilib.)
• Ranunculus stagnatilis (Wallr.)
• Ranunculus abrotanifolius (Steud.)
• Ranunculus hydrocharis var. stagnatilis ((Wallr.) Spenn.)
• Ranunculus aquatilis subsp. circinatus ((Sibth.) Holmboe)
• Ranunculus circinnatoides (Arv.-Touv.)
• Batrachium circinatum var. terrestre (Lunell)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Bark

Taken Apr 1, 2011 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude CALAIS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2017 by Kulakov Dmitry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2011 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 23, 2022 by Hana Stuchlíková (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2011 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2019 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 1, 2011 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Thierry RAVAYROL (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Ressayre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Pierre PAPLEUX (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2019 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken May 31, 1852 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3033382)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:712473-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ranunculus circinatus Sibth.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 6