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Vick, Albert F. W.

Ranunculus alismifolius

Ranunculus alismifolius Geyer ex Benth.

Plantainleaf Buttercup, Water-plantain Buttercup, Meadow Buttercup

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: RAAL

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

A shiny green perennial, 1-2 ft. high. The leaves are simple and round or lance-shaped. The waxy, five-petaled flowers are showy and bright yellow, grouped in rounded heads.

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CA , CO , ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WA , WY
Native Distribution: B.C. to w. MT, s. to n. CA & CO
Native Habitat: Muddy banks; moist mt. meadows

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist to wet soils.

Benefit

Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Low toxicity if eaten. Minor skin irritation lasting minutes if touched. Symptoms include burning of the mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Skin redness, burning sensation, and blisters following contact with cell sap. Toxic Principle: Protoanemonin, released from the glycoside ranunculin.(Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: May be divided or increased by seed.
Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			FACW			OBL				FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Ranunculus alismifolius in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ranunculus alismifolius in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ranunculus alismifolius

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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