Ranunculus glaberrimus, Sagebrush buttercup

[Strong]

It's all under snow again, having received about 8" this morning, but last weekend I took a side trip into the Crooked River Gorge in Central Oregon and came upon the early blooms of the Sagebrush buttercups, Ranunculus glaberrimus.  So waxy and shiny.  It is my first indicator that the season is truly moving along...

Carolyn Poff Strong
Zone 3 & 8

[McDonough]

A beautiful and most precocious buttercup.  Back in the 1980s when I lived near Seattle, Washington, to escape the rain and fog I would often cross over into eastern Washington (the dry side ) and find this Ranunculus growing out amongst the sagebrush along with Viola trinervata.  The terrain would appear fairly desolate and unflowering until you'd stop, get out of the car, and look around to see lots of goodies.

[Hoy]

I would rather say precious, Mark
Reminds me of winter aconite.

[WimB]

I had never seen this ranunculus before. It's a real stunner. Thanks for sharing, Carolyn.

[Lori S.]

Signs of spring in February yet!  That's a beauty!  It reminds me of our yellow-flowered alpine snowmelt species (which won't be out for some months yet).
Thanks for posting it, Carolyn!