Ranunculus barceloi Grau

Spice In the field

Family: RANUNCULACEAE

Genus: Ranunculus

Sinònims: Ranunculus paludosus Poiret subsp. barceloi (Grau) L. Saèz, Rosselló et N. Torres

Catalan common name: Botó d'or.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Ibiza. Formentera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean (Balearic)

IUCN Category: NTNear threatened

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Wild olive trees and other sclerophyllous shrublands. Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata forest. Therophytic calicole fields. Garriques, therophytic communities.

Characteristics: This Ranuncle lives in small terophitic meadows in garrigues (Mediterranean woodland) in the Pitiüses (Eivissa and Formentera) and in Mallorca, usually taking advantage of the trees' shade. It has greatly divided leaves and tuberous roots. The large (2-4 cm), yellow flowers stand out very much in these rather dry environments. The differences with Ranunculus paludosus are very subtle, which is why some authors consider it a subspecies of this one. Flowers in spring.