Eschscholtz's buttercup facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eschscholtz's buttercup |
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| Ranunculus eschscholtzii in Olympic National Park In PA | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Ranunculus
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| Species: |
eschscholtzii
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Ranunculus eschscholtzii is a type of buttercup flower. It's also known as Eschscholtz's buttercup. This pretty yellow flower gets its name from Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz. He was a scientist from Russia who studied plants and insects in the 1820s and 1830s.
Where It Grows
This buttercup grows naturally across a large part of western North America. You can find it from the cold Arctic regions of northwestern Canada and Alaska. It also grows south into California and New Mexico. It likes to live in open, rocky places. You can often spot it in meadows or on high mountain slopes.
What It Looks Like
Ranunculus eschscholtzii is a plant that lives for many years. It grows one or more straight stems. These stems can reach about 20 to 25 centimeters (8 to 10 inches) tall.
Leaves and Stems
The leaves at the bottom of the plant are somewhat round. Each leaf is divided into a few sections. These lower leaves grow on long stems called petioles. The leaves higher up on the plant are smaller. They do not have these long petioles. The whole plant usually feels smooth and sometimes a bit waxy.
Flowers
The plant has one to three flowers. Each flower sits on a thin stem called a pedicel. The flower has five to eight shiny yellow petals. These petals are oval or rounded and can be up to 1.5 centimeters (about half an inch) long. In the center of the flower, you'll see many stamens and pistils. These are the parts that help the plant make seeds.
Fruits
After the flower blooms, it produces small fruits called achenes. These achenes grow in a group of 17 or more.
Different Types
There are a few different types, or varieties, of Eschscholtz's buttercup:
- Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. eschscholtzii
- Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. oxynotus — This type grows only in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It also grows in the Great Basin areas of eastern California and western Nevada. When a plant grows only in one specific area, it is called endemic.
- Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. suksdorfii — This type is called Suksdorf's buttercup. It is also endemic, meaning it grows only in the Klamath Mountains.
