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Ranunculus eschscholtzii
Ranunculus eschscholtzii Schltdl.
Eschscholtz's Buttercup, Subalpine Buttercup
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: RAES
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
5 shiny, brilliant yellow petals are part of flowers that are sometimes so numerous as nearly to hide the foliage of this low plant.
Subalpine Buttercup has the largest flowers of North American species. There are many Buttercups, most with shiny yellow petals, and most difficult to identify. Yellow marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris var. palustris), from coastal bogs in Oregon to Alaska, resembles a Buttercup but lacks green sepals.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NM , NV , OR , UT , WA , WYCanada: AB , BC , NT , YT
Native Distribution: Alaska to southern California; east to Alberta; throughout the Rocky Mountains to northern New Mexico.
Native Habitat: High in mountain meadows and on rocky slopes.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
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
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | FAC | FACW | FACW |
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 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 eschscholtzii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Ranunculus eschscholtzii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ranunculus eschscholtzii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-04Research By: TWC Staff