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Ranunculus occidentalis - Nutt.

Common Name Western Buttercup
Family Ranunculaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The juice from the flowers was used as a poison by native North American Indians[270]. Thse toxins are likely to be present in all parts of the plant and can be destroyed by heat or by drying[4, 10, 13, 19, 62, 65]. Many if not all plants in this genus also have a strongly acrid juice that can cause blistering to the skin[65, 183].
Habitats Vernally moist ground, 100 - 1800 metres[71]. Grassy slopes of meadows or open woodlands from sea level to 1500 metres[270].
Range South-western N. America - British Columbia to California and Nevada.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Ranunculus occidentalis Western Buttercup


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund
Ranunculus occidentalis Western Buttercup
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Ranunculus occidentalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

R. occidentalis eisenii. (Kellogg.)Gray.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked[257, 270]. Used as piñole either on its own or mixed with other seeds[257]. The seed must be parched in order to remove an acrid principle[105, 161].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a moist loamy soil[1]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Ranunculus quelpaertensis Perennial0.6 -  LMHSNMWe10 
Ranunculus repensCreeping Buttercup, Prairie Double-flowered Buttercup, Water Buttercup, Creeping ButtercupPerennial0.3 3-8 FLMHSNM110
Ranunculus reptansCreeping SpearwortPerennial0.2 - FLMHSNMWe10 
Ranunculus rivularis Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Ranunculus sceleratusCelery-Leaved Buttercup, Cursed buttercupPerennial0.6 0-0  LMHSNMWeWa111
Ranunculus tachreoi Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Ranunculus ternatus Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM01 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Nutt.

Botanical References

71270

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Subject : Ranunculus occidentalis  
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