About Ranunculus alismifolius Geyer ex Benth.
Ranunculus alismifolius Geyer ex Benth. is a species of buttercup that goes by the common name plantainleaf buttercup. It is native to western North America, ranging from British Columbia through California to Colorado. In this region, it grows in moist mountain habitats including meadows, streambanks, and bogs, and is common to abundant in some areas. The species is somewhat variable in appearance, with several varieties that can be difficult to distinguish from one another. In general, this plant is a perennial herb that grows a few typically upright to erect branching stems from a fleshy, fibrous root system. It can reach up to half a meter in height, but may also stay quite short and grow in clumps. Its leaves vary in shape: lower leaves have oval blades, while upper leaves are linear to lance-shaped. All leaves are borne on long petioles. The inflorescence holds one or more flowers, each growing on a long pedicel. Each flower has up to 12 yellow petals, with many yellow stamens and pistils at its center. Its fruit is an achene, and these achenes are produced in spherical clusters of 12 or more fruits.
