Ranunculus ternatus Thunberg (1784: 241)

Fei, Wen-Qun, Yuan, Qiong & Yang, Qin-Er, 2022, Ranunculus huainingensis and R. lujiangensis (Ranunculaceae), described from Anhui in China, are both synonymous with R. ternatus, a polymorphic eastern Asian species, Phytotaxa 573 (1), pp. 15-38 : 32-37

Ranunculus ternatus Thunberg (1784: 241) . Figs. 1–15 , 17 .

Type:— JAPAN. Precise locality unknown, C. Thunberg s.n. (holotype UPS-THUNB 13194!). Fig. 3 .

= Ranunculus huainingensis Wang et al. (2016: 97) , syn. nov.; Wang et al. (2019: 288), isonym.

Type:— CHINA. Anhui: Huaining, Shijing town , Denglin village , 85 m, 29 March 2015, D.Q. Wang 150329032 (holotype PE 02099720!; isotype ACM, not seen). Fig. 1 .

= Ranunculus lujiangensis Wang & Wang in Wang (2018: 801), syn. nov.

Type:— CHINA. Anhui: Lujiang, Tangchi town , 150 m, 19 March 2018, D.Q. Wang W1804 (holotype PE, not seen; isotype PE, not seen). Fig. 2 (the line illustration in the protologue) .

For a complete synonymy of this species see Lauener & Green (1963), Liou (1980), Yang et al. (1996), and Wang & Gilbert (2001).

Description:—Perennial herbs, sometimes with filiform, tuberiferous stolons. Roots tuberous and fibrous, with tubers obconic or ovoid, often fascicled. Stems 5–25 cm tall, glabrous or sparsely puberulent, branched. Basal leaves 5–10; petioles 2–10 cm, glabrous or sparsely puberulent; blades simple or ternate, subreniform or subpentagonal, 1.2–4.5 cm long, 2.4–6.5 cm broad, thinly papery; simple ones 3-lobulate or 3-parted, with the central primary lobe entire, or 1- or 2-lobed, the lateral primary lobes unequally 1‒3-lobed, with the terminal lobes entire, inconspicuously crenulate, denticulate, or more or less serrate; ternate ones larger, leaflets petiolulate, 1–4-lobed, 1- or 2-parted, or 1- or 2-sect, with the terminal lobes entire, inconspicuously crenulate, denticulate, or more or less serrate. Stem leaves 1–3, ternate, sessile, lobes obliquely narrowly ovate or sublinear, few-dentate or entire, glabrous or sparsely puberulent. Flowers solitary, terminal, 1–1.5 cm in diameter. Receptacle glabrous. Sepals 5, rarely 6 or 7, yellowish-greenish, elliptic to broadly elliptic, 3–4 mm long, 1.2–2 mm broad, abaxially glabrous to sparsely puberulent, reflexed or patent, concave, with the nerves obscure or even invisible. Petals 5, rarely 6 or 7, yellow, narrowly obovate to obovate, 5–7 mm long, 3.5–4 mm broad, at apex rounded, claw inconspicuous; nectary cup-shaped without a scale or pocket-like with an adaxial flap-like scale. Stamens numerous, 2–4 mm long; filaments linear, 1.8–2.5 mm long; anthers oblong, 1–2 mm long. Gynoecium ovoid, 2–4 mm long, 2–3 mm broad. Carpels 1–1.5 mm long; ovaries obliquely ovate to broadly ovate, 0.6–1 mm long; styles 0.2–0.8 mm long, straight or slightly curved at apex. Aggregate fruit ovoid, 2–4 mm long, 4–5 mm broad. Achenes ellipsoid-orbicular to obovoid-orbicular, 1.4–1.8 mm broad, 2–2.5 mm long, with styles beaked, 0.2–0.8 mm long.

Phenology:—Flowering from February to April; fruiting from April to June.

Distribution and habitat:— Ranunculus ternatus is widely distributed in China (Anhui, Chongqing, Guangdong, Guangxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shanghai, Taiwan, Zhejiang) ( Fig. 16 ), Japan and South Korea. Its occurrence in Chongqing and Guangdong belongs to new records at provincial level (see below). This species grows by streams, in fields or at forest margins at elevations below 500 m.

Additional specimens examined:— CHINA. Anhui: Chuzhou, Anonymous 1519 (NAS), Y.F. Xiao 433 (PE); Fanchang, M.E. Chen et al. XMG1803002 (PE), M.E. Chen et al. XMG1803003 (PE), M.E. Chen et al. XMG1803004 (PE); Hefei, Anonymous 53 (NAS), D.Q. Wang WDQ150329031 (PE); Huaining, W.Q. Fei & Q.E. Yang 201 (IBSC), J. Yang et al. HN20150310003 (PE), J. Yang et al. HN20150310005 (PE); Huangshan, Anonymous 51 (NAS), J.X. Fang TangXS0708 (KUN); Huoshan, X.L. Zhao CSH08942 (PE); Lu’an, D.Q. Wang W1805 (PE), D.Q. Wang W1806 (PE), D.Q. Wang W1807 (PE); Lujiang, W.Q. Fei & Q.E. Yang 204 (IBSC); Precise locality unknown, M. Cerillang 57 (NAS), M.B. Deng 61 (NAS); Qingyang, Anonymous 2474 (PE, PEY), Anonymous 27065 (NAS), H. Jame 18519 (NAS); Wuhu, H. Migo s.n. (NAS), K.K. Tsoong 3278 (PEY); Xiuning, Anonymous 44 (NAS). Chongqing: Nanchuan, Z.Y. Liu et al. RQHZ06041 (IMC). Guangdong: Qujiang, S.P. Ko 50151 (NAS); Ruyuan, S.P. Ko 51121 (NAS). Guangxi: Lingchuan, Lingchuan Exped. 450323130321033LY (IBK); Lingui, L.Q. Chen 93361 (PE), Guinan Exped. s.n. (PE), G.Z. Li 13703 (PE), G.Z. Li 15747 (PE), A.M. Liao 443 (IBK), A.M. Liao 475 (IBK), Z.S. Chung 808029 (IBK), Z.S. Chung 808793 (PE), Z.S. Chung 808882 (IBK, PE, SZ); Nanning, Y.Q. Su 15385 (GXMG); Precise locality unknown, Anonymous s.n. (NAS), M. Guo et al. 451324130419018LY (GXMG), Z.S. Chung 808823 (IBK); Xing’an: F. Liu 89 (PE); Yangshuo, R.H. Shan 742 (PE), R.H. Shan 782 (NAS, PE); Yongfu, Yongfu Exped. 450326130309011LY (IBK), Yongfu Exped. 450326130325020LY (IBK, GXMG). Henan: Xinyang, J.R. Chen s.n. (PE), J.R. Chen 281 (HENU), C. Wang 150411003 (BNU), L. Zhang 107 (HENU), M. Zhang 167 (HENU); Linzhou, M.Z. Zhang 466 (HENU). Hubei: Precise locality unknown, Y.H. Zhang 9 (PE); Wuchang, L.Y. Dai 2090 (NAS), G.X. Guo 177a (NAS), S.S. Chien 399 (NAS), S.S. Chien 1839 (NAS), Y.Z. Sun 1483 (WUK); Wuhan, H.B. Chen s.n. (FJSI). Hunan: Changsha, Anonymous 3278 (PE), X.M. Wen & Q. Lin 33 (PE), X.M. Wen & Q. Lin 46 (PE); Hengyang, B.H. Liang 84975 (SZ), J.L. Xia 201001 (NYA); Shaodong, J.H. Liu 7058 (PE); Shaoyang, L.D. Duan 632 (PE), L.D. Duan 681 (PE); Xinning, W.Q. Fei & Q.E. Yang 191 (IBSC), Y.B. Luo 513 (PE); Yiyang, L.D. Duan 3011 (PE), L.D. Duan 3070 (PE); Yizhang, S.Q. Chen 252 (IBK); Yongshun, K.D. Lei 4331271503051544 (JIU), D.G. Zhang yd00047 (JIU), D.G. Zhang zdg10046 (JIU), D.G. Zhang zdg10240 (JIU), D.G. Zhang zdg10313 (JIU); Yongzhou, Y.Q. Li & H.F. Wang ANUB00760 (ANUB); Zhangjiajie, H. Zhou & D.S. Zhou 2015040806 (CSFI), H. Zhou & J.L. Luo 15032506 (CSFI), H. Zhou & J.L. Luo 15032544 (CSFI). Jiangsu: Gaochun, Y.N. Xiong et al. 1526 (NAS); Jurong, B.C. Wu & Z.Y. Wang HANGYY8134 (KUN); Nanjing, Anonymous 13 (NAS), Anonymous 29 (NAS), Anonymous 1016 (NAS), Anonymous 1017 (NAS), Anonymous s.n. (NAS), C.N. Chen 8753 (NAS), C.Y. Chiao 1912A (CQNM), W.P. Fang 16 (NAS), W.Z. Fang et al. 125 (IBK, LBG, NAS, SZ, WUK), W.Q. Fei & H.M. Li 510 (IBSC), J.Y. Gong 607 (NAS), S.Y. He 570649 (BNU), Y.Y. Ho 2008 (NAS), Y.Y. Ho 2017 (NAS), Y.Y. Ho 2087 (NAS), Y.Y. Ho 3797 (NAS), Z.Y. Huang et al. 76 (NAS), P.P. Ling 1 (NAS), P.P. Ling 2 (MW, NAS), P.P. Ling 3 (NAS), P.P. Ling 4 (NAS), P.P. Ling 5 (NAS), P.P. Ling 7 (NAS), P.P. Ling 8 (NAS), P.P. Ling 9 (NAS), P.P. Ling 10 (NAS), P.P. Ling 11 (NAS), P.P. Ling 12 (NAS), P.P. Ling s.n. (NAS), P.P. Ling & S.S. Sun 65 (NAS, PE, SZ), F.S. Lui 840 (HZ, NAS, PE), C.Y. Luh 323 (NAS), C.Y. Luh 383 (NAS), Q.X. Liu et al. 5076 (NAS), A.N. Stewart 1912 (WUK), J. Sun 5030 (NAS), X.Y. Sun 16 (PE), Y.N. Xiong et al. 1137 (NAS), Y.N. Xiong et al. 1193 (NAS), S.J. Yang 178 (NAS), S.J. Yang et al. 49 (NAS), K. Yao et al. 8004 (FJSI, HZ, NAS), C.S. Yok 10 (NAS), X.Y. Zong & P.P. Ling s.n. (NAS); Precise locality unknown, Anonymous 791 (NAS), Anonymous 2493 (NAS), Anonymous 3278 (PE), F. Courtois s.n. (NAS), R.H. Shan 221 (NAS), C.L. Tso 9 (PE), W.X. Wu 4876 (NAS); Suzhou, C.C. Chen 983 (NAS), P.P. Ling & S.S. Sun 93 (NAS, PE), H. Migo s.n. (NAS); Wuxi, F. Courtois 9050 (NAS), W.X. Wu 7838 (NAS), S.T. Xiang 37 (NAS), W.P. Xue 565 (NAS); Yixing, Y.Z. Sun 310 (NAS); Zhenjiang, F. Courtois s.n. (PE), J.M. Delavay 1853 (NAS), H. Migo s.n. (NAS). Jiangxi: Anyuan, C.M. Hu & A.Y. Li 1975 (LBG, PE); Ji’an, Anonymous 408 (LBG), Anonymous 421 (LBG); Jiujiang, Anonymous 86 (LBG), W.Q. Fei & Q.E. Yang 198 (IBSC), X.Z. Li & D.Z. Gan 7020 (JJF, PE), X.Z. Li & L.P. Zhang 13027 (JJF), M.X. Nie 6982 (KUN, LBG, PE), C.M. Tan 8045 (JJF), C.M. Tan 20068 (PE), C.M. Tan 89118 (JJF), C.M. Tan 93011 (JJF, PE), C.M. Tan 94026 (PE), C.M. Tan 95031 (JJF), C.M. Tan 95063A (JJF), C.M. Tan 97099 (JJF), C.M. Tan 9604003A (NAS), C.M. Tan 9604035 (NAS, PE), C.M. Tan et al. 4046 (JJF), C.M. Tan et al. 6270 (JJF), C.M. Tan et al. 11086 (JJF), C.M. Tan et al. 1504126 (JJF), C.M. Tan & C.P. Hu 89118 (JJF), C.M. Tan & Y. Zhou 94026 (JJF, SN), G.H. Yi 12072 (JJF), G.H. Yi & C. Zheng 8001 (JJF); Lushan, A.M. Dong 652 (JJF), A.M. Dong 1266 (CCAU), A.M. Dong & C.M. Wu Tancm1506 (JJF), S.S. Lai & S.C. Zhang 780057 (LBG), C.M. Tan 97089 (JJF, KUN), M.K. Wang 124 (LBG), M.K. Wang & H. Zou 1666 (LBG), M.K. Wang & H. Zou 1680 (LBG), M.K. Wang & H. Zou 1706 (LBG); Nanchang, Anonymous 541 (JXU), Y. Lin 13009 (JXU, PE); Precise locality unknown, Anonymous s.n. (LBG), H.M. Mo 20558 (JXU); Suichuan, 236 Task Group 148 (PE); Xinjian, M.X. Nie 1975 (IBSC, LBG); Xingzi, J.L. Wang & S.C. Zhang 156 (LBG), J.L. Wang & S.C. Zhang 7808 (LBG). Shanghai: Anonymous 73 (NAS), Anonymous 1077 (NAS), Anonymous 2061 (NAS), B.J. Ge GBJ04853 (CSH), J.H. Gu 14350 (SHM), M. Heude 2293 (NAS), K.C. Kuan 7 (PE), P.P. Ling 2 (NAS, PE, SZ), P.P. Ling 6 (NAS, PE), Y.H. Liu 1437 (NAS), R.L. Lu et al. 5160 (SHM), H. Migo s.n. (NAS), X.K. Qin 19434 (SHM), X.K. Qin 19541 (SHM), C.Q. Wen et al. 22281 (SHM). Taiwan: Taipei, C.C. Chuang 2557 (TAI), N. Fukuyama 4654 (TAI), T. Kawakami & Y. Shimada 4266 (TAI), Kawakami & Y. Shimada s.n. (TAI), C.C.Kou & M.T. Kao 4499 (TAI), C.M. Kuo 4723 (TAI), S.H. Lin 688 (TAI), G. Masamune s.n. (TAI), Nakamura-Taizo 4277 (TAI), R. Oldham 135 (BM), S. Sasaki s.n. (TAI), Simada-Hidetaro 1179 (TAI), S. Suzuki 4205 (TAI), S. Suzuki 10221 (TAI), S. Suzuki s.n. (TAI), Suzuki-Tokio 8322 (TAI), T. Tanaka s.n. (NTUF), T. Tanaka & Y. Shimada 10961 (E, TAI), H.N. Yang 2555 (TAI). Zhejiang: Dinghai, Z.H. Chen 910180 (PE), Z.H. Chen 910181 (PE), C. Pei 2493 (NAS); Dongtou, W.P. Ku et al. XY00185 (CSH), W.P. Ku et al. XY00419 (CSH), W.P. Ku et al. XY00423 (CSH), W.P. Ku et al. XY00546 (CSH); Jinhua, D. Chen 867 (NAS), H. Migo s.n. (NAS); Hangzhou, Anonymous 5 (SZ), Anonymous 15 (SZ), Anonymous 17 (HZ), Anonymous 35 (PE), Anonymous 56 (SZ), Anonymous 58 (SZ), Anonymous 179 (ZM), Anonymous 184 (HZ), Anonymous 201 (HZ, PE), Anonymous 550 (NAS), Anonymous 652 (HZ), Anonymous 1876 (HZ), Anonymous 1978 (HTC, HZ, SZ), Anonymous 2041 (HZ, PE), J.B. Mao 1471 (ZM), H. Wang 19 (ZM), C.C. Wu 1420 (PE), S.G. Zhang 184 (HZ, NAS, PE), Y.H. Zhang 83070 (ZM), Zhejiang Museum 3071 (ZM), Z.Y. Zhu & C.M. Chen s.n. (HHBG); Ningbo: W. Hancock 34 (K); Pinghu, R.L. Chen 8967 (PE), Herbarium Plant Group 8651 (SHM), B.M. Liao 7861A (SHM); Pingyang, X.K. Qin 17219 (SHM), L.Q. Qiu et al. 6204 (SHM); Precise locality unknown, Y.Y. Ho 833 (NAS), K.K. Tsoong 214 (NAS), Z.Y. Zhu & C.M. Chen s.n. (HZ); Taizhou, H. Migo s.n. (NAS); Zhenhai, Y.Y. Ho 790 (NAS), Y.Y. Ho 833 (NAS); Zhoushan, Y.K. Bi et al. BYK476 (CSH), Y.K. Bi et al. BYK3736 (CSH), Y.K. Bi et al. BYK3790 (CSH), Y.K. Bi et al. BYK3847 (CSH), X.Y. Ye DJD13013 (CSH).

JAPAN. Ibarraki: M. Furuse 49967 (PE). Kanagawa: Y. Asai 8346 (E). Saitama: M. Furuse 33425 (PE), M. Furuse 33430 (PE), H. Migo s.n. (NAS), H. Takeda s.n. (E). Tokyo: H. Migo s.n. (NAS), M. Togashi MT 6802 (E, P), T. Makino s.n. (HIMC), J. Bisset s.n. (E), H. Sakurai s.n. (E).

SOUTH KOREA. Jeju: U.J. Faurie 1729 (BM, E), T. Taquet 2970 (E, K), T. Taquet 4551 (E), T. Taquet 4552 (E), T. Taquet 9393 (E).

Notes:— Ranunculus ternatus was described as annual by Liou (1980), Wang (1991), Lin (1992), Anonymous (1993), Wang (1995), Liu (2000), Zhao & Liu (2010), Zhang (2021), or as perennial by Ohwi (1965), Anonymous (1972), Ding et al. (1981), Wang (1986), Yang et al. (1996), Wang & Gilbert (2001), Yang & Huang (2008), Deng & Ye (2013). Our critical observations on living plants have revealed that plants of R. ternatus constantly produce tubers, with new tubers continuously growing from plants of past years ( Figs. 5C , 6C , 7C , 8C , 12C , 14C ) or from the nodes of stolons ( Figs. 5C , 12C , 14C ). The tubers can help the plants survive in winter. Ranunculus ternatus , therefore, is a perennial herb, not an annual.

Ranunculus ternatus has been previously recorded to be widely distributed in China, including Anhui, Guangxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shanghai, Taiwan, and Zhejiang. Our examination of herbarium specimens indicated that this species also occurs in southern Chongqing and northern Guangdong (two sheets, Z.Y. Liu et al. RQHZ06041 and S.P. Ko 51121, shown in Figure 17 ). The collection Z.Y. Liu et al. RQHZ06041 (IMC, three sheets) has been misidentified as R. monophyllus Ovczinnikov (1922: 54) on the determination slips, a species most easily distinguishable from R. ternatus by having only fibrous (vs. both tuberous and fibrous) roots, fewer basal leaves (1–3 vs. 5–10), reniform or orbicular-ovate (vs. subreniform or subpentagonal) blades, and puberulent (vs. glabrous) carpels and achenes. Geographically R. monophyllus is distributed in northern China (Beijing, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Nei Mongol, Shanxi, Xinjiang) and Russia (Siberia).

Ranunculus zuccarinii var. dissectissimus Migo (1934: 4) was described on the basis of a collection, H. Migo s.n. (TI; Fig. 18 ), from the Botanical Garden of the Shanghai Science Institute (“ Horto Institutionis Scientiarum Shanghaiensis ”) in Shanghai, China. In the protologue, the author stated that this variety differed from the type variety, var. zuccarinii , by its polymorphic and extremely dissected basal leaves. It was transferred to R. ternatus as a variety, i.e. R. ternatus var. dissectissimus (Migo) Handel-Mazzetti (1939: 167) , as R. zuccarinii Miquel (1867: 5) was reduced to the synonymy of R. ternatus . Liou (1980) placed R. ternatus var. dissectissimus in synonymy with R. ternatus , pointing out that R. ternatus was highly variable in all parts. This treatment was only accepted by Kadota (2006) (under the name R. extorris Hance ) and Yang et al. (2014), while Wang (1995), Wang & Gilbert (2001) and Deng & Ye (2013) recognized R. ternatus var. dissectissimius as an independent variety. It was elevated as an independent species, i.e. R. dissectissimus (Migo) Luferov (2014: 147) , without any reason given. As shown in the type specimen ( Fig. 18 ), the basal leaves of R. ternatus var. dissectissimius are indeed extremely dissected. Here we put the treatment of R. ternatus var. dissectissimius aside for a further study.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Holotype (A) and paratype (B, C) sheets of Ranunculus huainingensis (= R. ternatus), and line illustration (D) of the holotype in the protologue. Red arrows indicate filiform, tuberiferous stolons.

FIGURE 2. Line illustration in the protologue of Ranunculus lujiangensis (= R. ternatus).

FIGURE 3. Holotype (A) sheet of Ranunculus ternatus and the line illustration (B) in Thunberg (1824).

FIGURE 4. Selected specimens of Ranunculus ternatus, showing root tubers, filiform, tuberiferous stolons and basal leaves. A. China, Zhejiang, Ningbo, L. Savatier s.n. (P); inset: root tubers. B. China, Hunan, Yongzhou, W. Zhang, Y.Q. Li & H.F. Wang ANUB00760 (ANUB); inset: root tubers. C. Japan, Saitama, Musashi, M. Furuse 35071 (PE); inset: root tubers and filiform, tuberiferous stolons (arrowed). D. China, Jiangxi, Jiujiang, C.M. Tan 11126 (JJF); inset: root tubers and filiform, tuberiferous stolons (arrowed).

FIGURE 5. Ranunculus ternatus in the wild (China, Hunan, Xinning). A. Habitat. B. Habit [a. Plant with a filiform, tuberiferous stolon (arrowed). b. Plant without stolon]. C. Roots (arrow indicates a filiform, tuberiferous stolon). D. Portion of stem. E. Basal leaves. F. Flower (bottom view). G. Flower (top view). H. Sepals (adaxial side). I. Petal (left: adaxial side; right: abaxial side). J. Stamens. K. Carpels. L. Aggregate fruit. M. Achenes. N. Receptacle.

FIGURE 6. Ranunculus ternatus in the wild (China, Jiangsu, Nanjing).A. Habitat.B. Habit.C. Roots.D. Portion of stem. E. Basal leaves. F. Flower (bottom view). G. Flower (top view). H. Sepals (abaxial side). I. Petal (left: adaxial side; right: abaxial side). J. Stamens. K. Carpels. L. Aggregate fruit. M. Achenes. N. Receptacle.

FIGURE 7. Ranunculus ternatus in the wild (China, Jiangxi, Jiujiang). A. Habitat.B. Habit. C. Roots. D. Portion of stem. E. Basal leaves. F. Flower (lateral view). G. Flower (top view). H. Sepals (abaxial side). I. Petal (left: adaxial side; right: abaxial side). J. Stamens. K. Carpels. L. Aggregate fruit. M. Achenes. N. Receptacle.

FIGURE 8. Ranunculus ternatus in the wild (China, Zhejiang, Hangzhou). A. Habitat. B. Habit. C. Roots. D. Portion of stem. E. Basal Leaves. F. Flower (lateral view). G. Flower (top view). H. Sepals (abaxial side). I. Petal (left: adaxial side; right: abaxial side). J. Stamens. K. Carpels.

FIGURE 9. Portion of petals (adaxial side) of Ranunculus ternatus (A, B), R. huainingensis (= R. ternatus) (C), and R. lujiangensis (= R. ternatus) (D), showing the nectary. A. China, Hunan, Xinning, W.Q. Fei & Q.E. Yang 191 (IBSC). B. China, Jiangxi, Jiujiang, W.Q. Fei & Q.E. Yang 198 (IBSC). C. China, Anhui, Huaining, W.Q. Fei & Q.E. Yang 201 (IBSC). D. China, Anhui, Lujiang, W.Q. Fei & Q.E. Yang 204 (IBSC). Note that the nectary is cup-shaped without a scale or pocket-like with an adaxial flap-like scale.

FIGURE 10. SEM photographs of the nectary of Ranunculus ternatus (A, B), R. huainingensis (= R. ternatus) (C), and R. lujiangensis (= R. ternatus) (D). A. China, Hunan, Xinning, W.Q. Fei & Q.E. Yang 191 (IBSC). B. China, Jiangxi, Jiujiang, W.Q. Fei & Q.E. Yang 198 (IBSC). C. China, Anhui, Huaining, the type locality of R. huainingensis, W.Q. Fei & Q.E. Yang 201 (IBSC). D. China, Anhui, Lujiang, the type locality of R. lujiangensis, W.Q. Fei & Q.E. Yang 204 (IBSC). Note that the nectary is cup-shaped without a scale or pocket-like with an adaxial flap-like scale.

FIGURE 11. Specimens from plants transplanted from Huaining in Anhui [type locality of Ranunculus huainingensis (= R. ternatus)] to Hefei in Anhui. A. D.Q. Wang W1801 (PE). B. D.Q. Wang W1802 (PE). C. D.Q. Wang W1803 (PE). Note that the plants, albeit without filiform, tuberous stolons, were all identified as R. huainingensis by W.T. Wang.

FIGURE 12. Ranunculus huainingensis (= R. ternatus) in the wild (China, Anhui, Huaining). A. Habitat. B. Habit [a. Plant with a filiform, tuberiferous stolon (arrowed). b. Plant without stolon]. C. Roots (arrows indicate filiform, tuberiferous stolons). D. Portion of stem. E. Basal leaves. F. Flower (lateral view). G. Flower (top view). H. Sepals (adaxial side). I. Petal (left: adaxial side; right: abaxial side). J. Stamens. K. Carpels. L. Aggregate fruit. M. Achenes. N. Receptacle.

FIGURE 13. Specimens of Ranunculus huainingensis (= R. ternatus) [W.Q. Fei & Q.E. Yang 201 (IBSC)]. Note that arrows indicate filiform, tuberiferous stolons.

FIGURE 14. Ranunculus lujiangensis (= R. ternatus) in the wild (China, Anhui, Lujiang). A. Habitat. B. Habit [a. Plant with filiform, tuberiferous stolons (arrowed). b. Plant without stolon). C. Roots (arrows indicate filiform, tuberiferous stolons). D. Portion of stem. E. Basal leaves. F. Flower (lateral view). G. Flower (top view). H. Sepals (adaxial side). I. Petal (left: adaxial side; right: abaxial side). J. Stamens. K. Carpels. L. Aggregate fruit. M. Achenes. N. Receptacle.

FIGURE 15. Specimens of Ranunculus lujiangensis (= R. ternatus) [W.Q. Fei & Q.E. Yang 204 (IBSC)]. Note that arrows indicate filiform, tuberiferous stolons.

FIGURE 16. Distribution in China of Ranunculus ternatus (●). Red arrow indicates the type locality of R. huainingensis (= R. ternatus), i.e. Huaining county in Anhui province, China; blue arrow indicates the type locality of R. lujiangensis (= R. ternatus), i.e. Lujiang county also in Anhui province, China.

FIGURE 17. Two sheets of Ranunculus ternatus from southern Chongqing (A) and northern Guangdong (B) in China. A. Z.Y. Liu et al. RQHZ06041 (IMC). B. X.P. Gao 51121 (NAS).

FIGURE 18. Holotype sheet of Ranunculus ternatus var. dissectissimius.