Glacier buttercup facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glacier buttercup |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ranunculus
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| Species: |
glacialis
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The Ranunculus glacialis, also known as the glacier buttercup or glacier crowfoot, is a special kind of plant. It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, which includes many types of buttercups. This plant is famous for growing in very cold and high places, like mountains and Arctic regions.
Where the Glacier Buttercup Grows
The glacier buttercup is an Arctic–alpine plant. This means it loves cold climates found in the Arctic and high up in mountains. You can find it in the tall mountains of southern Europe, such as the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, and the Sierra Nevada.
It also grows in northern parts of the world. These include the Scandinavian peninsula, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Jan Mayen, Svalbard, and eastern Greenland.
Growing High in the Mountains
This amazing plant is known for growing higher than almost any other plant in the Alps. It can even flower at altitudes over 4,000 meters (about 13,000 feet)! That's higher than many clouds!
Different Types of Glacier Buttercup
There is also a special type, or subspecies, of the glacier buttercup. It is called Ranunculus glacialis subsp. chamissonis. This subspecies grows on both sides of the Bering Strait. This area connects Siberia in Russia and Alaska in the United States.
