Its leaves, which only grow at the base of the stem, are 2–6 cm long, oval, and have broad rounded teeth. Each plant has 1 or 2 flowers which are yellow, scented and about 25mm in diameter. Each has 5-12 petals which are slightly irregular.[3] It flowers from October to December, often covering large areas of ground.[4]
Distribution and habitat
Grows throughout the Mediterranean region, including north Africa, in rocky places, olive groves and dry fields, from sea-level up to 900m.[5]
Etymology
In LatinRānunculus means "little frog", from rāna "frog", and bullatus means "inflated".[6]
Subspecies
There are three subspecies, Ranunculus bullatus subsp. bullatus (L.)[7] which grows in the Iberian Peninsula, France and Italy; Ranunculus bullatus subsp. cytheraeus (Halácsy)[8] which grows in the eastern Mediterranean including Libya; and Ranunculus bullatus subsp. supranudus (Jordan & Fourr.)
[9] which grows in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.