Ranunculus adoneus

Alpine Buttercup · Snow Buttercup

Family RanunculaceaeGenus Ranunculus

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

Toxicity: Poisonous to cattle, goats, horses. All parts. Protoanemonin. Stated for Ranunculus spp.Plants Poisonous to Livestock

Habit: perennialPlants of the World Online
Habit: Perennial, Forb/herbPLANTS Database
Flower: YellowWikipedia
Native range: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, WyomingGBIF Backbone Taxonomy

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; Wikipedia — Wikipedia contributors; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility; Plants Poisonous to Livestock — Cornell University Department of Animal Science.

Its flowers track the sun, which warms them and draws insects. When they are more than 45° out of line with the sun, fewer insects come and much less seed is set. Wikipedia: Ranunculus adoneus

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 25, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 70 days to germinate.

38% germination in 7–70 days.

Six seeds of sixteen in light, against one in the dark.

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

6% germination.

One seed of sixteen. Give this one light.

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials