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.
| California buttercup | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus: | Ranunculus |
| Species: | R. californicus
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| Binomial name | |
| Ranunculus californicus | |
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
editRanunculus 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
Cultivation
editRanunculus californicus is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for use in native plant gardens.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- Notes
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Ranunculus californicus". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ Jepson . accessed 3.23.2013
- ^ Flora of North America
- ^ CalFlora: Ranunculus californicus var. californicus
- ^ CalFlora: Ranunculus californicus var. cuneatus
- ^ 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
- CalFlora Database: Ranunculus californicus (Botta's clarkia, punch bowl godetia)
- Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Ranunculus californicus
- U.C. Photo gallery — Ranunculus californicus
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