Download water plantain buttercup - Draft

Water-plantain Buttercup (Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismifolius)
Global: G5T5 Provincial: S1 COSEWIC: E,
BC List: Red
Notes on Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismifolius: This member of the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family is also referred to as “plantainleaf buttercup” (EFlora, USDA Plants Database). The scientific name can have the spelling variation of alismaefolius var. alismaefolius. This variety of alismifolius is known
only from British Columbia and is one of two federally at risk (both designated “endangered”) and one of four red listed members of the Ranunculus genus in
BC.
Distribution: Elevations: 150-700 m This species is widely distributed across the Pacific Northwest on both sides of the Cascades including California,
Montana, Oregon, Washington state and Idaho. In BC however where it is at the northern extent of its range it is found only in two locations (Uplands Park in
Oak Bay/Greater Victoria on Southeast Vancouver Island and Ballenas Island just north of Nanaimo). Two other historic locations in and around Oak Bay and
Cadboro Bay Rd. in Greater Victoria are either extirpated or refer to the present site in Uplands Park (GOERT 2005, Parks Canada 2006).
Description: Height 300-600 mm An erect perennial herb with one or more soft, hairy and hollow branching stems. This species does not prpduce runners as
many other Ranunculus species do (from nodes along the stems). Roots of this species are fibrous and tuberous. Leaves occur in basal formations as well as
along the stems. The 20-140 mm basal leaves tend to be large, deep green and elongated and grow from stout long stalks, margins are smooth to slightly
toothed. Stem leaves are much smaller have shorter stalks, alternate or opposite positioning and become increasingly reduced farther up the hollow stem. , and.
The typical yellow flowers grow from the middle stalk within a cluster of large smooth basal leaves, stems can be branched within the flower clusters. The five
5-14 mm long flower head petals are slightly hairy and grow at the ends of stalks up to 150 mm long. Each flower head can produce 30-50 single seeded 3-7
mm long fruits. The 1.6-2.8 mm long seed capsules are smooth or covered in short stiff hairs (GOERT 2005, Parks Canada 2006).
Look’s Like? The elongated tapered leaves that resemble plantain and robust upright hollow stems are one of the best ways to distinguish this species from
close flower head look-alikes like western buttercup. As well after flowering foliage turns a distinctive yellow-green (GOERT 2005, Parks Canada 2006).
Primary Habitat: This species of buttercup can occupy a range of wet to moist lowland habitats associated with Garry oak woodlands ranging from meadows
to still water (marsh) edge areas, bluffs and shorelines and the riparian zones of flowing waters. Other species found in association include western buttercup,
white hyacinth and common camas. Dominant associated grasses include sweet vernalgrass, orchardgrass, bromus species and various sedges. Dominant
understory shrub species, which tend to shade out the herb species, include Scotch broom and snowberry (GOERT 2005, Parks Canada 2006).
Secondary Habitat: Muddy sites, seeps, ditches and other wet disturbed areas as well as sites which undergo periodic flooding and summer drought. At one
time periodic fires would have created new habitat for this species.
Critical Features: There is detailed information lacking for the soil, moisture and nutrient regimes preferred by this plant which occupies a wider range of
habitats in the U.S. In Canada it has a direct association with vernal pools, wet meadows and flooded areas within Garry oak woodlands or seasonally wetted
seeps and depressions in fine substrates at the base of rocky slopes which go dry in the summer (GOERT 2005, Parks Canada 2006).
Seasonal Life Cycle
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Vegetative growth appear in early spring,
flowers emerge April-May
Seeds mature in June, during
late summer drought periods
plants die back, becoming
dormant until following spring
*This species appears to reproduce only by seed. It is likely that a number of insect pollinators are responsible for pollination. Seed dispersal is likely through
birds and small mammals.
Habitat Guild: Maritime bluffs to low elevation wet meadows, still waters (marshes) and vernal pools associated with Garry Oak woodlands
Threats
 The preferred ecological associations of this species are geographically limited and subject to urban development and associated habitat loss.
 Changes to soil moisture and seasonal inundation and water table levels and diversion of surface and groundwater from adjacent development, logging
and agricultural activity.
 Disturbance and trampling from outdoor recreation activities, direct mortality from infilling of habitat and landscape maintenance activities in parkland.
 Fire suppression may contribute to wetland succession to dryland shade dominant plant communities and increased spread and encroachment of
competitive plant species including several invasive species.
Key Conservation & Management Objectives
 While this species appears stable in its existing populations there is a need to adequately assess actual level and extent of threats.
 A targeted inventory is needed to determine if undiscovered populations exist elsewhere within the Coast Region and to assess the status of all known
populations.
 Monitor existing populations on an ongoing basis to assess viability and reduce potential disturbance from land use activities. Where suitable habitat
occurs, work with land managers and land owners to ensure development or recreational activities do not disturb or encroach on sensitive areas.
 Consider historic distribution as part of developing a reintroduction program to suitable sites.
 Conduct outreach to raise awareness of this species and how to identify it to improve distribution knowledge
Draft 2010
Disclaimer: This species account and related conservation recommendations are draft only and presently under review and subject to change.
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Prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plants, especially aggressive competitors like non-native ornamental grasses, Scotch broom and
Himalayan blackberry, which can be difficult to control once they are established. When controlling invasive plants, take precautions to minimize
disturbance.
Meet objectives for this species and the conservation of its habitat as set out in the “Recovery Strategy for Multi-species at Risk in Vernal Pools and Other
Ephemeral Wet Areas in Garry Oak and Associated Ecosystems in Canada”.
Sightings, specimens, or observations of activities threatening its habitat should be reported to the regional Species at Risk Biologist at the Ministry of
Environment office.
Main References/Literature Cited
Parks Canada Agency. 2006. Recovery Strategy for Multi-species at Risk in Vernal Pools and Other Ephemeral Wet Areas in Garry Oak and Associated
Ecosystems in Canada. In Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Ottawa: Parks Canada Agency. 73 pps.
Species at Risk in Garry Oak and Associated Ecosystems in British Columbia. 2005. Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismifolius. Garry Oak Ecosystems
Recovery Team.
COSEWIC. 2009. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Water-plantain Buttercup Ranunculus alismifolius in Canada. Committee on the
Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 21 pp.
International Forest Products Limited and BC Ministry of Environment. 2003. A Field Guide to Species at Risk in the Coast Forest Region of British Columbia
Develop With Care: Environmental Guidelines for Urban and Rural Land Development in British Columbia.
BC Species & Ecosystems Explorer (BC Conservation Data Center Summary Report)
NatureServe Explorer
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
E-Flora Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia
USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database
Image credits:
Water Plantain-buttercup: Jamie Fenneman
Water-plantain Buttercup inset: Randomtruth (Flickr)
Western Buttercup: Jamie Fenneman
Habitat: Ecstaticist (Flickr)
Draft 2010
Disclaimer: This species account and related conservation recommendations are draft only and presently under review and subject to change.
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