This annual buttercup with a Mediterranean distribution is present in all regions of Italy located south of the Po River, in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia (no longer observed since a long time in Liguria). The life-cycle can be spent part in water, part on moist to dry soil. It grows in swamps and along the shores of lakes and streams, from sea level to about 600 m. It is a characteristic species of the Mediterranean temporary ponds of Sardinia, found in the intermediate belt. The fresh parts are poisonous (protoanemonine). The genus name, the Latin for 'little frog', was used since ancient times only for the aquatic species of the subgenus Batrachion, also a diminutive of the Greek 'batràchos' (frog); the species name refers to the leaves, which are vaguely similar to those of the fern Ophioglossum. Flowering period: March to July.

Italian name(s): Ranuncolo con foglie di ofioglosso (Italia).