Al Schneider's Rocky Mountains Plant Descriptions

Sagebrush Buttercup
Ranunculus glaberrimus
Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae)

As one of its common names, "Early Buttercup," suggests, this flower is one of the first to bloom in spring and this early blooming time helps to distinguish this species from the very similar (when young) R. alismifolius. Buttercups are a distinctive , with 25 or more species found in the region. Their flowers with 5 shiny, reflective petals are prominent and attractive features. While the name "Buttercup" sounds as if the plant should be edible, Buttercups are generally toxic and their sap can cause skin irritation.

"Glaberrimus" means "completely without hairs." "Ranunculaceae" is probably from the Latin "rana," meaning "frog" since some Ranunculaceae and frogs prefer the same moist habitat. But the name might refer to some long forgotten perceived relationship in size, shape, and smell between flower and frog. Linnaeus named this in 1753.


©2015 Paul Slichter

Description

Low , 2-8" tall, with long fleshy leaves and clumped stems. Long- yellow saucer-shaped flowers comprised of 5 shiny, waxy petals surrounding a mound of green-yellow encircled by numerous . Five have a purple tint. are - and fleshy. Margins are to deeply . Stems leaves are and short-.

Field Marks

5 shiny petals around green mound of /; fleshy leaves.

© Al Schneider

stamen -- the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower; The stamen consists of an anther supported by a filament.

An entire leaf has smooth edges. Not toothed or lobed.

A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.

A herb is a plant whose stems die back to the ground in the winter.

ovate -- Oval, egg-shaped, with a tapering point.

Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom.

stalk -- The supporting structure of an organ. Examples of stalks are stem, peduncle, petiole, ...

elliptic -- Oval, with no point or a very short point.

basal leaves -- a leaf that grows lowest on the stem of a plant.

genus -- A subdivision of a botanical Family in which all members have a significant number of similar characteristics.

alternate -- leaves alternate along the main stem and are attached singly.

A pistil is the female structure of many flowers. It contains one or more carpels. Each carpel contins an ovary, style and stigma. The stigma receives the pollen which grows thru the style to reach the ovary.

lobe -- Being divided by clefts.