Pensylvanicus Characteristics

	relatively large, terrestrial plants with erect stems
	basal leaves divided into 3 stalked leaflets, the leaflets 2 or 3 lobed, and the lobes themselves toothed; cauline leaves more ore less similar
	stem and inflorescence leaves on well-developed petioles
	flowers 6 to 8 mm across
	5 reflexed sepals
	petals less than 5 mm long, shorter than sepals
	heads of achenes cylindrical or oblong
	achenes glabrous

Ranunculus Characteristics

	plants not climbing
	leaves not opposite
	stem leaves present
	flowers regular, not spurred
	petals and sepals present (although petals absent in a few species)
	fruit achenes, not berry-like