CROWFOOT FAMILY 



(Ranunculaceoe) 



Usually herbs (Clematis shrubby), with acrid juice, petals 

 of indefinite number, or none, the calyx in that case colored 

 like a corolla; stamens indefinite, generally many, pistils dis- 

 tinct. Leaves generally more or less divided or cut. 



CALIFORNIA BUTTERCUP (Ranunculus calif ornicus, Benth.). 

 Flowers shining yellow, \ to f inch broad, with about 10 to 15 

 narrowish petals, topping branching stems a foot or more 

 tall. Root leaves of three main divisions, each thrice (or 

 more) again divided; leaves of the stem less cut. Widely 

 distributed throughout California, northward to Oregon and 

 Washington, blooming from February to June. 



Ranunculus californicus is the most likely to attract atten- 

 tion of about a score of species of- the genus that are indigenous 

 to the Pacific Coast, for it loves the open fields and roadsides, 

 and woods-edges of the common way of life. Buttercup 

 seeds were an important part of the Indian's wild harvest. 

 They were parched in flat baskets by being tossed about with 

 hot embers or pebbles, and then ground (generally with other 

 seeds) into meal. The acridity of the seed disappears. 

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