mer. It inhabits moist to wet sites, and even exists in shallow 

 water, although the soil may become very dry after the plants com- 

 plete growth. It is most common in meadows, flats, and parks and 

 on open stream banks, but it also grows on open slopes. 



The largest plants and the most dense stands are found in the 

 deep, black loams of flats and meadows ; when growing on less fertile 

 and on stony soils, the individual plants are smaller and generally 

 scattered. Mostly it grows in full sunlight, only a few scattered 

 plants occurring in the shade of trees, such as lodgepole pine, which 

 encircle the open sites where the species grows. It is a plant of the 

 mountains, being practically limited to elevations from the ponderosa 

 pine belt to timberline. In the wetter sites it is likely to occur in 

 pure stand; in the better drained areas it is frequently associated 

 with dandelions, clovers, and bluegrasses. 



Although plantainleaf buttercup varies in forage value according 

 to locality, it is nowhere in high esteem. Use of this species is 

 limited due to its somewhat acrid taste, which doubtless accounts for 

 its low palatability, and to its extremely early growth, since the 

 plants often mature and practically disappear from the range before 

 the major forage plants are fully developed. It is perhaps most 

 valuable in Colorado, where it is considered fair for cattle and good 

 for sheep. In Utah, the species is fair for cattle and sheep, but 

 in the Northwest and in California it rates as poor for cattle and 

 fair for sheep. However, deer, and possibly elk also, crop plantain- 

 leaf buttercup extensively, probably because this species is one of 

 the earliest herbaceous plants available on the range. Studies by 

 one of the authors of this handbook on the Kaibab Plateau, northern 

 Arizona, indicate that this plant is good forage for mule deer. 



Throughout its natural range, plantainleaf buttercup often in- 

 creases appreciably where overgrazing, erosion, or other factors have 

 depleted the original plant cover of good forage species, such as 

 bluegrasses and the better sedges. It is more successfully adapted 

 to invade openings in the plant cover than are most plants, as it 

 makes its growth and matures very early and is sparingly grazed 

 because of its low palatability. Even though erosion may have been 

 prevented, the replacement of the normal cover by plantainleaf 

 buttercup indicates that some remedial action, such as reduction of 

 the numbers of livestock, is necessary. 



Plantainleaf buttercup, one of the largest of the entire-leaved 

 buttercups, has stems varying from 6 to 20 inches in height, being 

 much taller than the other entire-leaved western species which are 

 usually less than 8 inches high. The bright and shiny yellow flowers 

 appear in May and June. When the plants are numerous and in 

 blossom, their attractive yellow provides a pleasing landscape effect. 

 However, the petals are soon lost, the achenes mature, and the suc- 

 culent stems and leaves become dry, brown, and brittle. The plants 

 soon start to disintegrate and by late summer the aerial portions 

 Have practically vanished from the range. 



