Ranunculus occidentalis aka Western Buttercup

Ranunculus occidentalis is also known as western buttercup. It belongs to Ranunculaceae, the buttercup family. It is a perennial from western North America. This means it lives for more than two years. Kew gives its native range as southwestern Canada to the western United States. Plants For A Future gives a broader range with more detail. It lists southern Alaska and southern Yukon, plus British Columbia. It also lists western Alberta, Washington, Oregon, and California. Its range reaches northwestern Nevada too. The RHS says it is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This plant grows to about 2 feet [0.6 metres] tall. It grows wild in meadows, on grassy slopes, and in open woods. The ground at these sites is moist in spring. Records place it from sea level to around 5,900 feet [1,800 metres]. Plants For A Future gives May to July as its bloom time. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects carry pollen between the flowers. The supplied species records do not describe its leaf shape. They give no details about the form of its fruit.

Plants For A Future lists sun or light woodland shade as suitable. It lists sand, loam, and clay as suitable soils. The stated pH range runs from mildly acid to mildly alkaline. The plant suits moist soil. These needs fit its wild sites in meadows and woods. There, the soil is moist in spring. The source also lists garden beds as a place to grow it. How well it withstands British cold remains unclear. The source suggests that milder areas may suit it. The evidence gives no firm hardiness zone.

Plants For A Future describes sowing seed in spring. It calls for a cold frame, then separate pots for seedlings. Young plants can go into the garden in summer. Growers can also divide plants in spring to make more. Large pieces can go straight to their final sites. Small pieces can grow in pots in light shade first. Once they take root, they can move outdoors. This can take place in late spring or early summer. The evidence gives no pest or disease details for this species.

The seed has a recorded food use after cooking. Plants For A Future describes parched seed used for piñole. People used it alone or mixed it with other seeds. This record does not show that raw seed is safe. The same source reports past use of flower juice as poison. It warns that all parts of the plant may contain toxins. Its food-use rating is low: one out of five. The source lists no known medicinal or other uses.