calyx and corolla usually differentiated
Distribution: Temperate northern hemisphere with diversity in eastern Asia and North America - 12 genera with 51 species in Texas.
Floral structure:
Significant features:
herbaceous, apocarpous herbs with sheathing petioles and leaf blades
often
palmately veined and lobed. Derived elements of the family
include
Delphinium
(Larkspur) and Aquilegia
(columbine), both with perianth specializations, and Thalictrum
(anemophily).
 |
 |
 |
| Ranunculus sardous - flower at anthesis | Ranunculus sardous - flower past anthesis with carpels maturing | Ranunculus sardous - flower well past anthesis with carpels maturing to form an aggregate of achenes |
 |
 |
| Aquilegia canadensis flower at anthesis with spurred petals | Aquilegia flower past anthesis with apocarpous gynoecium maturing to form an aggregate of follicles |
 |
 |
| Thalictrum - a dioecious species - staminate plant | Thalictrum - pistillate plant with each flower mature (aggregate of achenes) |
More information on the Ranunculaceae