sagebrush buttercup
ExplorePlants
sagebrush buttercup
Ranunculus glaberrimus
The sagebrush buttercup is a bright yellow flower that loves to grow in sunny places. Its cheerful petals can make anyone smile and are often found in meadows and grasslands.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The sagebrush buttercup has bright, waxy, lemon-yellow petals, usually 5 to 10 per flower, that are famously glossy. It grows on short stems from basal leaves, often appearing as one of the first splashes of color in spring.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRanunculalesFamilyRanunculaceaeGenusRanunculus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Chewing this plant releases a bitter juice, making animals spit it out quickly!
It often blooms so early, it pushes its way through melting snow!
Its shiny, waxy petals are like tiny mirrors, reflecting sunlight to warm the flower.
The 'buttercup' name comes from the way its bright yellow color matches fresh butter!
Special abilities
Ability
Snow-Breaker Bloom
Sagebrush buttercup can flower extremely early, often pushing through melting snow to be one of the first spring blooms.
Ability
Solar Petals
Its glossy, cup-shaped petals reflect sunlight, helping to warm the flower and attract early-season pollinators.
Ability
Bitter Defense
Sagebrush buttercup has a bitter, mildly toxic sap that deters most hungry herbivores from taking a bite.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-20 cm
- Spread
- 10-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Early spring
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen from early blooms
pollinates
Western Bumblebee
Bombus occidentalis
one of the earliest native bee visitors
pollinates
Mining bee
Andrena placida
a native bee species specialized in early spring flowers
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Don't eat any flowers you find, even if they look pretty!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is sagebrush buttercup?
5-20 cm
How wide does sagebrush buttercup spread?
10-30 cm
How big are the flowers on sagebrush buttercup?
1-2.5 cm
When does sagebrush buttercup bloom?
Early spring
Is sagebrush buttercup edible?
No
Is sagebrush buttercup toxic?
Mild
What is sagebrush buttercup's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is sagebrush buttercup pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
