About Ranunculus eschscholtzii Schltdl.
Ranunculus eschscholtzii is a perennial herb that grows one or more erect stems, reaching up to 20 to 25 centimeters in height. Its lower leaves have somewhat rounded leaf blades, each divided into a few lobes, and grow on long petioles. Any upper leaves on the plant are smaller and do not grow on petioles. The leaf and stem tissue of the plant is hairless, and sometimes has a waxy texture. The inflorescence consists of one to three flowers growing on narrow pedicels. Each flower has five to eight oval or rounded shiny yellow petals up to 1.5 centimeters long, arranged around a central nectary that holds many stamens and pistils. The fruit is an achene, borne in clusters of 17 or more achenes. This plant is native to a large area of western North America, ranging from arctic northwestern Canada and Alaska in the north down to California and New Mexico in the south. It grows in meadows and on talus on high mountain slopes, as well as in other open rocky habitats.
