Ranunculaceae

Ranunculus alismifolius

Water Plantain Buttercup

Cluster of stems erect to decumbent, branched from near base. Stems never root where touching soil. Stems and leaves hairless. Basal and lower stem leaves with 1–3 in. petioles, 1–5 in., oblong; upper leaves entire, linear, smaller. Flowers in loose cluster atop stems are large, bright yellow, with 5–10 widely oval petals about 1/2 in. long. Grows in wet edges of lakes, ditches, streams, meadows, or in damp forests, at mid to high elevations. Var. alismellus has egg-shaped basal leaves less than 1 in. long. Var. alismifolius has 2–5 in., lance-shaped to oblong, basal leaves.

• Rarity: Locally Common
• Flowering Time: Late Spring, Early Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 1--3 feet
• Habitat: Vernal Wet, Meadow, Bog/Fen/Wetland
• Found In: Wallowas, Steens, Mt. Rainier Np, East Gorge
• Native: Yes