ranunculus recurvatus - hooked buttercup

This flower grows from 1 to 2 feet tall.  The leaves are 4 inches long and 3 inches wide, divided, lobed, and toothed.  The stem, petioles, and leaves are hairy.  The flowers are axillary with five yellow petals, and are 1/4" to 1/2".  There is a recurved style on the seed head.

The Hooked Buttercup is "hooked" because of a hooked beak on each achene (a dry, one-seeded fruit, lacking special seams to release the seed).

This flower is found in moist woods, often along streams.