Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Ranunculales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Ranunculaceae
Genus
Ranunculus L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Ranunculus nivicola Hook.f., Icon. Pl. 7, t. 571-572 (1844) – as nivicolus
Synonymy:
  • = Ranunculus reticulatus Colenso, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 20: 188 (1887 [1888])
Vernacular Name(s):
Mount Egmont buttercup; Mountain buttercup
 Description

Tufted perennial; rhizome stout. Stem erect, sparsely pilose, 50–80 cm tall. Basal lvs orbicular, ternatifid to 3/4 way, fleshy, glabrous to pilose, mostly 5–15 cm diam.; lobes ternatifid and bluntly toothed or crenate. Cauline lvs similar to basal but ± reniform; lobes of upper lvs narrow, entire. Fls 1–3–(7) per stem, 2.5–3.5 cm diam.; pedicels hairy. Sepals spreading, hairy. Petals 8–15, yellow, narrowly cuneate-obovate; nectary single, 1–2 mm from petal base, naked. Receptacle sparsely pilose. Achenes numerous, not flattened, glabrous or sparsely pilose; body 2.5–3 mm long; beak straight, 3–5 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Sep.–Nov.; Fruiting: Nov.–Jan.

 Bibliography
Colenso, W. 1888: On new Phænogamic plants of New Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 20: 188–211.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Fisher, F.J.F. 1965: The alpine Ranunculi of New Zealand. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Bulletin 165: 1–192.
Garnock-Jones, P.J. 1990: Typification of Ranunculus names in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 28: 115–123.
Hooker, W.J. 1844: Icones Plantarum. Vol. 7. Hippolyte Baillière, London.