 Common name: Obscure buttercup
Species: Ranunculus reconditus Nels. & Macbr.
Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)
Description
A showy, yellow-flowered perennial that grows 2-8 inches in height. Flowers occur at the ends of the tallest stems. Leaves occur along the flower-stalk as well as on shorter vegetative stems which originate at the base of the plant. The leaves are cut or incised into 3 distinct leaflets. The most remote portions of the leaflets are
linear in shape. Flower and vegetative stems grow out of a tight cluster of shoots along the base of the ground. Petals are 3/8 to 5/8 inch in length. Mature achenes are not bristly, spiny or papillate; they are only moderately compressed.
Identification Tips
The Obscure Buttercup does not appear to co-occur with R. glaberrimus, the species with which it is most closely allied, although both taxa occur in Klickitat and Wasco counties. Obscure Buttercup may be easily distinguished by its triternately dissected leaves; the leaves of R. glaberrimus are only shallowly lobed.
Phenology
Leaves emerge by the initiation of flowering in the first week of March. Peak anthesis typically occurs during the second and third weeks of March. Immature fruits are formed by late March and mature fruits have begun dispersing by mid-April.
Habitat
The species occurs in meadow-steppe habitat (Idaho fescue/houndstongue hawkweed association from Daubenmire 1970) dominated by perennial xerophytic bunchgrass and perennial broad-leaved herbs. Associated species include yellow bell (Fritillaria pudica), Douglas’ buckwheat (Eriogonum douglasii), northern buckwheat (Eriogonum
compositum), prairie lupine (Lupinus lepidus), balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata), and cheat grass (Bromus tectorum). Occurs primarily on north facing upper slopes (0-20 degrees) and the crest of basalt ridges overlain by loess deposits of varying depth. Some plants can be found on all aspects. Elevation: 2240 to 3220 feet.
Ecology
Like many other buttercups, this species flowers very early in the year (early March) when temperatures can still be quite cool. This may give the species some competitive advantage over other vegetation, both native and non-native, that grows and flowers later. The role of fire in maintaining the habitat is unknown, although the fire
return interval is estimated to be 30-90 years.
References
Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1997. Flora of North America North of Mexico. Volume 3 Magnoliophyta: Magnoliidae and Hamamelidae. Treatment of the genus Ranunculus (p. 88-135) by A.T. Whittemore. Oxford University Press, New York. 590 pp.
Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J.W. Thompson. 1964. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest, Part 2: Salicaceae to Saxifragaceae. University of Washington Press, Seattle. 597 pp.
Source: Washington Natural Heritage Program and U.S.D.I. Bureau of Land Management
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