Lucas Land
Small-flowered Crowfoot
or
Kidneyleaf buttercup
Ranunculus abortivus
From the link ☼
In bloom April 5 - May 15. The plant is about 1-2 feet long. Ranunculus is the buttercup genus. Like all buttercups, this species has flowers with 5 very shiny very yellow petals. It is one of the earliest plants to flower and fairly common along the trails. Upper leaves are divided into 3 segments, looking like a crow's foot. Basal leaves are more heart shaped and less obviously divided.