Southwest Colorado Wildflowers, Ranunculus alismifolius

Because of the shape of Ranunculus flowers, bees do not pollinate them very well, but the bees do leave an abundance of pollen on the glossy petals. Dew and rain slide off the slick, shiny surface carrying the pollen to the stigmas below to fertilize them. Very clever.

The species of Ranunculus that grow in the Four Corners area are a bit difficult to tell apart; look first at the leaf shape and the height of the plant. Flower size, color, and shape are very similar and are difficult to use in distinguishing among species.

The Ranunculaceae name is ancient and probably is derived from the Latin "rana", meaning "frog" or "tadpole". Most likely the name was applied because frogs and some Ranunculaceae prefer the same moist habitat -- or the name might refer to some long forgotten perceived relationship in size, shape, smell, etc. Linnaeus named this genus in 1753.

Ranunculus alismifolius (Buttercup)
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Montane, subalpine. Meadows, wetlands. Spring, summer.
Cross Mountain Tail, July 13, 2005.

Ranunculus alismifolius is an abundant Buttercup, especially in moist subalpine meadows. Leaves are long, broadest in the center and tapered at both ends and the plant is often broader than tall. Like so many other Buttercups, Ranunculus alismifolius flowers are small and only attract oohs and ahhs when they are found in large colonies (click to see) or when you look at their flowers with a hand lens.

Ranunculus alismifolius (Buttercup)
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Montane, subalpine. Meadows, wetlands. Spring, summer.
Dolores River Canyon Overlook, April 30, 2008.

The photos at left show us how different a species may look depending on its habitat. These diminutive plants are growing on thin soils on the edge of a rocky overlook, high above the Dolores River. The other photos on this page show robust plants growing in deep, moist soils at higher elevations where snowfall is more plentiful.

Notice also that the flowers at left have five petals; others on this page have seven and nine petals. This variation is not habitat dependent but is typical of the variety of R. alismifolius that grows in the Four Corners area: R. alismifolius variety montanus.

Ranunculus alismifolius (Buttercup)
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Montane, subalpine. Meadows, wetlands. Spring, summer.
Echo Basin Loop Road, June 7, 2004.

Charles Geyer named this species in 1849. "Alismifolius" means "with Plantain-like leaves".