Entry for Ranunculus adoneus A. Gray [family RANUNCULACEAE]
Entry From
Flora of North America, Vol 3,
Names
Ranunculus adoneus A. Gray [family RANUNCULACEAE], Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 15: 56. 1863
Ranunculus adoneus var. alpinus (S. Watson) L. D. Benson [family RANUNCULACEAE]
Ranunculus eschscholtzii Schlechtendahl var. adoneus (A. Gray) C. L. Hitchcock [family RANUNCULACEAE]
Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. alpinus (S. Watson) C. L. Hitchcock [family RANUNCULACEAE]
Discussion
Most collections of Ranunculus adoneus from Colorado, including the type specimen, tend to be small, with narrow leaf segments (only 0.5-1 mm wide) and large flowers. The more widespread form, with leaf segments 1-2 mm wide and more variable flowers, has been called R. adoneus var. alpinus. The leaf and flower characteristics are very poorly correlated, however, and specimens referable to var. alpinus vary greatly in stature and flower size, so the two forms scarcely merit formal recognition.
