Autumn Buttercup
Ranunculus aestivalis
Other common names: Fall Buttercup
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G5T1
State (S-rank): S1
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Ranunculus aestivalis, is a federally listed as endangered species known only from the Sevier River Valley in Garfield County, Utah where it grows in wet meadow habitat. Autumn Buttercup has shiny yellow flowers and leaves that are 3-divided, the stems have spreading hairs.
The specific wet meadow habitat, where this species is known to grow, has been reduced by the diversion of water from irrigation and the introduction of domestic grazing animals since pre-settlement times. There are currently only two small populations of the Autumn buttercup known to exist.
Description
Ranunculus aestivalis, is a federally listed as endangered species known only from the Sevier River Valley in Garfield County, Utah where it grows in wet meadow habitat. Autumn Buttercup has shiny yellow flowers and leaves that are 3-divided, the stems have spreading hairs.
The specific wet meadow habitat, where this species is known to grow, has been reduced by the diversion of water from irrigation and the introduction of domestic grazing animals since pre-settlement times. There are currently only two small populations of the Autumn buttercup known to exist.
Phenology
Flowers from late July to early October.
Diagnostic characteristics
Ranunculus aestivalis is similar to both R. acriformis and R. acris. However, R. aestivalis differs in its basal leaves being pentagonal in outline and having narrow, wedge-shaped segments, the smallest segments measuring less than 4 mm in width, and flowers grow individually. In contrast, R. acriformis lacks pentagon-shaped basal leaves, and R. acris has broader wedge-shaped leaf segments, the smallest measuring greater than 4 mm in width, with flowers growing individually or sometimes in pairs.
Species range
This species is known only from two sites in the Sevier River Valley in Garfield County, Utah.
Threats or limiting factors
The inheriently small distribution (Sevier River Valley in Garfield County, Utah) and population size of autumn buttercup may increase the species’ vulnerability to threats (USFWS 2025). The current threats to this species are from loss of individuals and habitat loss as a result of climate change, small mammal herbivory, inappropriate grazing management, introduced plant species (like Scotch thistle), and water diversion (USFWS 2024). Regulatory mechanisms are inadequate to address threats to the species (USFWS 2024).
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies