Ranunculus californicus

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California buttercup
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Ranunculus
Species:
R. californicus
Binomial name
Ranunculus californicus
California buttercup (Ranunculus californicus) in Sunol Regional Wilderness, northern California.

Ranunculus californicus, commonly known as the California buttercup,[1] is a flowering plant of the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. It is a native of California, where it is common in many habitats, including chaparral and woodlands.

Its distribution extends across many habitats of California, north into Oregon and south into Baja California.[2] Its reported locations include the islands between British Columbia and Washington, the Channel Islands of California, and the Sierra Nevada.[3]

Description[edit]

Ranunculus californicus grows up to 70 centimetres (2.3 ft) in height. The bright yellow flower is roughly 1–2 centimetres (0.033–0.066 ft) in diameter and has 7 to 22 shiny, teardrop-shaped petals. Each flower grows on a long, green, leafless stem.

Varieties
  • Ranunculus californicus var. californicus [4]
  • Ranunculus californicus var. cuneatus [5]

Cultivation[edit]

Ranunculus californicus is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for use in native plant gardens.[6]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Notes
  1. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Ranunculus californicus". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  2. ^ Jepson . accessed 3.23.2013
  3. ^ Flora of North America
  4. ^ CalFlora: Ranunculus californicus var. californicus
  5. ^ CalFlora: Ranunculus californicus var. cuneatus
  6. ^ Las Pilitas Nursery database: Ranunculus californicus (California buttercup)
Sources
  • Munz, Philip A. (2003). Introduction to Shore Wildflowers of California, Oregon, and Washington. Berkeley: University of California Press.

External links[edit]