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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Ranunculus glaberrimus

Ranunculus glaberrimus Hook.

Sagebrush Buttercup

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: RAGL

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

A small fleshy plant with most of the leaves at the base and shiny yellow flowers.

Among the first wildflowers to bloom in the spring. The very smooth, rather fleshy leaves are characteristic. The toxin in buttercups is unstable and is rendered harmless by drying or boiling the leaves.

From the Image Gallery

8 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Stems prostrate or ascending, up to about 6 inches long.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , OR , SD , UT , WA , WY
Canada: AB , BC , SK
Native Distribution: British Columbia to northern California; east to New Mexico, Nebraska, and North Dakota.
Native Habitat: Mostly among sagebrush and in open pine woods.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light 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

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			FAC			FAC				FACU

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.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
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 glaberrimus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ranunculus glaberrimus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ranunculus glaberrimus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-04
Research By: TWC Staff

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