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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. How very interesting the ways of plants are!
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. "Ranunculaceae" is an ancient name, probably derived from the Latin "rana", meaning "frog" or "tadpole"; frogs and some Ranunculaceae prefer the same moist habitat. But the name might refer to some long forgotten perceived relationship in size, shape, and smell between flower and frog. "Culus" is Latin for "little". Linnaeus named this genus in 1753. |
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Ranunculus macauleyi variety macauleyi (Macauley's Buttercup, Rocky Mountain Buttercup) Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family) Subalpine, alpine.
Meadows. Summer. This is a large-flowered Buttercup common in the high country. It ranges from three to six inches tall, and is most easily identified by the dense soft black hairs on the bracts below the flower and by the elongated and notched-on-the-tip leaves (far right center and photograph below). Look for Ranunculus macauleyi in subalpine and alpine wet meadows, often near the edge of snow fields. Asa gray named this species in 1879. Lt. C. H. McCauley collected plants and butterflies in the Southwest, including in the Pagosa Springs area. (More biographical information about McCauley.) |
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Ranunculus macauleyi variety macauleyi (Macauley's Buttercup, Rocky Mountain Buttercup) Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family) Subalpine, alpine.
Meadows. Summer. Ranunculus macauleyi basal leaves are long, narrow, and notched 3-5 times on their tips. Stem leaves are similar in size and notching but few and shorter. | |
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Ranunculus macauleyi variety macauleyi (Macauley's Buttercup, Rocky Mountain Buttercup) Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family) Subalpine, alpine.
Meadows. Summer. The dark, red/black hairs on the underside of the flower make identification certain for Ranunculus macauleyi. Also notice the hairs on the pedicel (the flower stem). The hairiness of Ranunculus macauleyi is evident when it is no more than 3/4 of an inch tall and leaves are not yet green because they have not begun to photosynthesize. I'll never know how my wife spotted the minute cutie pictured below. |
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Range map © John Kartesz,
County Color Key
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Range map for Ranunculus macauleyi |