Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Ranunculales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Ranunculaceae
Genus
Ranunculus L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Ranunculus kirkii Petrie, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 19: 323 (1887)
 Description

Tufted perennial, 5–25 cm tall; rhizome 0. Lvs ternate; leaflets stalked, 5–10–(25) mm diam., divided to 1/2 way or more into 3 crenate or bluntly toothed lobes, hairy or almost glabrous. Fls 1–3 per stem, (8)–10–15–(18) mm diam.; pedicels long, with silky hairs. Sepals spreading, hairy. Petals 5, yellow, narrowly obovate; nectary single, c. 2 mm from petal base, covered by a small rounded scale. Receptacle hairy. Achenes 10–15, flattened, glabrous; body broad, (2.5)–3–4 mm long; beak straight or curved, broad, 0.5–1 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Jan.; Fruiting: Jan.

 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [Naturally uncommon]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Naturally Uncommon]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Naturally Uncommon]
Garnock-Jones, P.J. 1990: Typification of Ranunculus names in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 28: 115–123.
Petrie, D. 1887 ("1886"): Descriptions of new Native Plants. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 19: 323–324.