Ranunculus glaberrimus, May 12, 2021
Common & scientific name
Sage buttercup, Ranunculus glaberrimus
Family
Buttercup, Ranunculaceae
Location
Difficult Trail, 8,200’ and Grottos, 9,600’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
The genus “Ranunculus” comes from the Latin for “little frog,” since buttercups are often found in wet habitats (this one, not so much). Sage buttercup is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, and often has a scraggly, de-petaled appearance, possibly owing to foraging by hungry spring critters, possibly to every-changing spring weather, or . . . other theories welcome!
R. glaberrimus, May 27, 2021