Help with identification please

[sarahmarie]

Hi,
I am trying to identify plants founds by the side of a river for a pressed specimens assignment for my horticultural degree, but am having trouble with one of the plants. It was found growing in the water, though the majority of its population grew on dry land on the river bank. Does anybody know what this is?





Cheers.

[Dorts]

Hi Sarah, welcome to WAB.
Your plant is Creeping Buttercup - Ranunculus repens, a very common species which spreads via 'runners' which you can just make-out in your 3rd. photo. It often can be found on damp bare ground, but does best on disturbed ground and as a garden weed.
It has the most Buttercup-yellow flowers of all.
Dorts.

[pleb]

Hi,

I reckon it is Wild Celery, Apium graveolens.

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by pleb

Hi,
I reckon it is Wild Celery, Apium graveolens.

Sorry Phil, definitely Creeping Buttercup 100%. Hairy stems.
Dorts.

[pleb]

I am sticking to Apium graveolens. Habitat, shape of leaves....I am sure Sarah would recognise Creeping Buttercup.

Phil

[pleb]

Sarah, you will have to smell the thing! If it smells like celery, it is celery.

phil

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by pleb

I am sticking to Apium graveolens. Habitat, shape of leaves....I am sure Sarah would recognise Creeping Buttercup.
Phil

Phil, it is not Wild Celery. If you don't believe me, consult your flora, you'll find it clearly states: Wild Celery is 'hairless'. Whereas Creeping Buttercup is 'hairy'. Sarah's plant is hairy.
We know Sarah cannot be sure that she can easily recognise a non-flowering Creeping Buttercup,
I thinks that may be why she has come onto WAB for help. Please don't confuse her with a wrong ID.
Dorts.

[pleb]

If Sarah is taking an horticultural degree, I am sure she would recognise creeping buttercup when she saw it. There are subtle differences in leaf shape between creeping buttercup and wild celery and I am sticking to Apium graveolens

I am not trying to confuse Sarah. I am sure she is quite capable of having a second look at the plant and making up her own mind.

phil

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by sarahmarie

Hi,
I am trying to identify plants founds by the side of a river for a pressed specimens assignment for my horticultural degree, but am having trouble with one of the plants. It was found growing in the water, though the majority of its population grew on dry land on the river bank. Does anybody know what this is?





Cheers.

Sarah, I am sorry there appears to be some confusion over the identification of your plant. It is important that you give your pressed specimen the correct species name.
It is possible for any WAB member to have a stab at an identification, whatever their qualification. Fortunately the correct name will surface sooner or later.

My determination of Creeping Buttercup is based on over 55 years of studying our flora. I am a long-time member of the BSBI and have contributed many papers and articles to that organisation and others. I was for many years a Botanical Advisor for the MOD, the National Trust and various other bodies.
Dorts.

[pleb]

ok.... so the plant is hairy......sorry Dorts, I got it wrong. Should have known better than argue with a Commander of the Wild Empire.

Sorry Sarah.....creeping buttercup it is then.

phil