Ranunculus trichophyllus
Ranunculus trichophyllus, the threadleaf crowfoot, or thread-leaved water-crowfoot, is a plant species in the genus "Ranunculus", native to Europe, Asia and North America. It is a herbaceous annual or perennial plant generally found in slow flowing streams, ponds, or lakes. The daisy-like flowers are white with a yellow centre, with five petals. It is similar in form to "Ranunculus fluitans" (river water-crowfoot), apart from flower petal number, thread-leaved has on 5 petals and shorter leaves, as thread-leaved prefers slower flowing waters. It also has rounded seed heads which become fruits covered with  bristles. The segmented leaves and the plants ability to photosynthesis underwater have been studied. Taxonomy. It was first described and published by the French naturalist and botanist Dominique Villars in his book 'Histoire des plantes du Dauphiné' Vol.3 on page 335 in 1786. The species epithet "trichophyllus" is Latin for 'hairy leaves'. In American it is also commonly known as the 'white water crow foot'. The Icelandic name of this species is Lónasóley. Subspecies: Distribution and habitat. The plant is found in most of the Northern Hemisphere, from the United States, Europe and the Mediterranean, east through Siberia, the Caucasus , the Middle East, the Himalayas, Kazakhstan and Mongolia to Kamchatka in Russia, also in Japan, China and Korea. It is even found in the lakes and ponds of Mount Everest. Range. It grows in freshwater, found in dune slacks and drainage ditches to ponds, lakes, streams and slow-flowing rivers. It is normally found at around above sea level.