The sagebrush buttercup is native to the northwestern United States, including the northwestern Great Plains, and western Canada. In its native areas, it blooms very early in spring, sometimes as early as February. It is considered a somewhat problematic native species in some areas because it is toxic to dogs, cats, and other animals. In some forms, it is toxic to people. The plant is small, usually about three to four inches high, but is noticeable because of its vibrantly colored flowers, one of the first to bloom in spring. The plant emerges early and quickly forms a round flower bud that has a slight purple tinge. The five-petaled flowers are a sunny bright yellow, with bright yellow stamens. The leaves are a somewhat unusual shape, being oval with three lobes or notches on one side, with a slight reddish tinge at the edges. The surface of the petals has a somewhat waxy, shiny quality that reflects light, making them quite a sight in the early spring sunshine. The plant reproduces via dense fruit clusters full of seeds. These seeds have a hairy surface and will stick to clothing, so the plants are spread via human movement as well as normal wind and weather conditions. The sagebrush buttercup grows in dry soils and is very tolerant of both drought and cold. It lives in a wide range of habitats including the grasslands of British Columbia, ponderosa pine and douglas fir tree forests, and sagebrush flats in the northwestern United States. This wildflower is ubiquitous in its native regions, but it’s not a plant one would commonly see cultivated. The combination of its invasive qualities and its lack of commercial availability mean it is best appreciated in its wild habitats. The flowers wake up very early, flower by March, form seed pods in May and June, and generally disappear from sight by July. Their early flowering makes them an important food source for bees and other pollinators and insects. These plants are known to attract the beautiful Orchard Mason Bee, which is blue in color and considered a significant pollinator of fruit trees, especially apple trees. This bee is one of the first native bees to emerge in spring, so the early flowering sagebrush buttercup is an ideal food source.
Sagebrush Buttercup Is Not Suited to Garden Landscapes
Finding sagebrush buttercup seeds or plants to cultivate may prove difficult, as it is not commercially available. This is likely partly because this perennial is so particular to its locations, but also because the plant is considered somewhat invasive. For this reason, it’s not recommended to plant Sagebrush buttercup, but to instead enjoy it in its native areas, including many public lands and national parks.
