Ranunculaceae

  • Ranunculus glaberrimus / sagebrush buttercup

    Ranunculus glaberrimus / sagebrush buttercup

    • one of the earliest spring flowers
    • yellow flowers, ca. 1" across
    • usually 5 shiny/waxy petals, numerous stamens
    • short, mostly elliptical leaves
    • in small to field-sized clumps
    • very poisonous
  • Ranunculus orthorhynchus / straightbeak buttercup

    Ranunculus orthorhynchus / straightbeak buttercup

    • 5 (to 8) bright, shiny yellow petals with long pedicels
    • many stamens and pistils
    • large, compound leaves with 3-5 pointy-lobed leaflets
    • found in wet areas including irrigation ditches
  • Thalictrum occidentale / western meadow-rue

    Thalictrum occidentale / western meadow-rue

    • delicate compound leaves, each segment with 3 lobes
    • leaves "look like" columbine
    • male and female flowers on separate plants
    • all flowers teeny, in clumps, somewhat to really purple
    • in moist habitats, esp. stream banks in forests