Water Silkweed

Family Ranunculaceae. Europe, Asia, N. America, N. Africa, S. Australia. In various types of water bodies, rivers, oxbows, ditches, on different bottom deposits and at depths up to 1.5-2 m. When water bodies dry up, in moist places they produce terrestrial forms.

Perennial rooting plant. Varies in height; with submerged fan-shaped dark green leaves finely divided into threadlike segments, in some species somewhat stiff, sticking together when removed from the water, in others not sticking together. Dark green plants, hairy in the upper part. Leaves sessile, somewhat stiff, blades semicircular in outline, usually three times 3-divided, spread out above water, the middle leaflet shorter than the lateral ones. Sheaths broad, hairy. Flower stalks equal to or only slightly longer than the leaves. Flowers 12-15 mm in diameter, petals cuneate-obovate. Nectaries sickle-shaped. Achenes numbering 25-30, strongly bristly-hairy. Flowering in May-August.