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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. 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 uncinatus (Buttercup)
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Montane. Woodlands, openings. Spring.
Trail up to Spiller-Helmet Ridge, August 8, 2005.

Ranunculus uncinatus is similar to our other Buttercups in being tiny-flowered, shiny-petaled, and  widely spread through lowlands and mountains.  It grows from eight to twenty-four lanky inches tall, and stems often droop or arch.  Basal and lower stem leaves are cut into three main divisions, reminiscent of Geranium leaves.  Upper leaves are narrow and smooth edged.

David Don named this plant in 1831.  "Uncinatus" means "hooked" and refers to the small hooked beak at the tip of the achene (the fruit), visible in the above photograph.

Ranunculus uncinatus (Buttercup)
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Montane. Woodlands, openings. Spring.
Trail up to Spiller-Helmet Ridge, August 8, 2005.

In the top photograph at left, the petals (less than 6 millimeters long) are fresh and lustrous, anther sacks are full of pollen, and hooked styles are short.  In the older flower below, petals have lost their luster, and shrunken stamens and anthers fringe the swollen seed head.