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Plant Profile

Obscure Buttercup (Ranunculus reconditus)

Ranuculus reconditus's bright yellow flowers. Photo Credit: Molly Grothaus

Global Rank: T2 - Imperiled
Legal Status: N/A
Family: Ranunculaceae
State: ID, NV, OR, WA
Nature Serve ID: 128262
Lifeform: Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 04/04/1991

Description:

First of all, there are very few populations of Ranunculus reconditus. Secondly, although the species is listed as Endangered by the State of Oregon and Threatened by the State of Washington, only one piece of land is officially protected due to where the populations are located. Populations on the Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve in Washington are the only sites officially (legally) protected from grazing and development. Other populations, while not protected by law, have been voluntarily protected. In Oregon, one large population was once on private land that was managed by The Nature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy purchased the land, and then sold it to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), who now manages it. This population is monitored annually and appears stable. The land is on a grazing allotment, but because of the steep, rocky terrain where the buttercup lives, grazing does not impact the plants at this site (Ron Halvorson, pers. comm.). The Obscure buttercup resembles the common, widespread sagebrush buttercup, Ranunculus glaberrimus. The common species has entire or broadly lobed leaves, while the rare Ranunculus reconditus has dissected leaves (divided into three sections). It is unknown why these plants, that look so much alike and are closely related, have such different distributions. R. glaberrimus is found in ponderosa pine woodlands and sagebrush desert from British Columbia to northern California, New Mexico, and as far east as the Dakotas and Nebraska. In contrast, Ranunculus reconditus is found at only 10 occurrences along the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon.

Where is Obscure Buttercup (Ranunculus reconditus) located in the wild?

Habitat:

Habitat in Washington consists of open, well-drained slopes and basalt ridges dominated by scattered big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) and buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.). In Oregon, habitat is generally in openings within Oregon white oak (Quercus garreyana) woodland. Scattered ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and/or Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) may also be present. Elevations range from 2900-3900 ft (900-1200 m). Soils may be both loamy and moderately deep, or in the transition area between loamy and rocky, shallow soils.

Distribution:

OR, WA OR: Wasco CountyWA: Klickitat County

States & Provinces:

Obscure Buttercup can be found in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington

Which CPC Partners conserve Obscure Buttercup (Ranunculus reconditus)?

Rae Selling Berry Seed Bank & Plant Conservation Program

Conservation Actions

09/23/2020

Initial germination tests at The Berry Botanic Garden showed extremely low germination percentages. Only seeds subjected to 8 weeks of cold stratification germinated. When subsequently placed in 68F (20C) conditions, 17% germinated. Under alternating 50F/68F (10C/20C) temperatures, 43% of seeds germinated.

09/23/2020

Demographic monitoring of plants at three separate locations within the Natural Area Preserve was conducted between 1996 and 1998. High survival rates were documented for vegetative and reproductive plants (90-98%) but low rates for seedlings (18-29%). Seed production at one site averaged 3138 seeds/year while seedling recruitment was only 23 seedlings/year. Overall, populations appeared stable (Wilderman 2001).

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

There are less than 10 known occurrences in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Nevada. The number of individuals is unknown, but apparently exceeds 1000. Threatened by land conversion to agriculture, use of herbicides, and possibly by recreation activities.

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

The Washington Natural Heritage Program (WNHP 1999) states threats as: Livestock grazing Agricultural conversion Invasion of noxious weeds Hot fires due to increased leave litter after years of fire suppression Potential ORV use

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

In WA, 8 occurrences known since 1987. Populations range from ""100+"" to ""several hundred."" One other occurrence was reported in 1938, but the location data is not complete. Either it cannot be re-located, or it has been extirpated (WNHP 2000). 2 occurrences are currently known in Oregon with population numbers ranging from 50 to 800 (ONHP 2000).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Studies at the Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Demographic monitoring of plants at three separate locations within the Natural Area Preserve was conducted between 1996 and 1998. High survival rates were documented for vegetative and reproductive plants (90-98%) but low rates for seedlings (18-29%). Seed production at one site averaged 3138 seeds/year while seedling recruitment was only 23 seedlings/year. Overall, populations appeared stable (Wilderman 2001). Initial germination tests at The Berry Botanic Garden showed extremely low germination percentages. Only seeds subjected to 8 weeks of cold stratification germinated. When subsequently placed in 68F (20C) conditions, 17% germinated. Under alternating 50F/68F (10C/20C) temperatures, 43% of seeds germinated. Further research should be done to determine if germination success can be increased (BBG File) Analysis of genetic diversity within and between populations using RAPD markers. Genetic comparison of the rare Ranunculus reconditus with the closely related and widespread R. glaberrimus (Sallie Herman, pers. comm.).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

The largest population is located on land designated as a Natural Area Preserve. It is protected against grazing and damage from agriculture. Demographic monitoring has been conducted. Annual monitoring of the Oregon population conducted by the BLM (Ron Halvorson, pers. comm.).

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Locate extant populations (Meinke 1982) Study effect of fire on populations (WNHP 1999) Study impact of noxious weeds on R. reconditus (Ron Halvorson, pers. comm.). Study pollination biology, seed germination and ecology, and seedling establishment (Wilderman 2001). Continue demographic monitoring to help elucidate long term population trends (Wilderman 2001)

Edward Guerrant, Ph.D.

01/01/2010

Collect and store seeds from all known populations Determine optimum germination conditions. Develop tissue culture methods if germination percentages remain low. Determine effective propagation and reintroduction protocols