Ranunculus insignis
The above images are from plants growing on Mount Hutt, Canterbury, NZ 23 Nov 2019.
Ranunculus insignis is a widespread highly variable species inhabiting the central and eastern North Island mountains and the Nelson, Marlborough and eastern Canterbury mountains south to the Two Thumb Range.
Currently this species includes R. insignis var lobulatus, R. monroi, R monroi var dentatus when is was reviewed by Dr Fisher in 1965 when he put all these together into the one species. There is potential that and other revision could split these R. insignis up again as I have seen some images labelled R.monroi in recent times.
R. insignis enjoys growing in spots on sheltered bluffs and rock outcrops through out its range.
As a variable species it varies in height from less than 10 cm to about 50 cm or more with thick basal evergreen leaves which vary in size, shape and hairiness. They are all undivided leaves with a conspicuous fringe of brown ore yellowish hairs on the edges of the leaves.
Flowers may be single or branched with 6 - 7 (or more) bright golden petals appearing from November to February. There are some superb forms with large flower heads and/or dark mottled leaves.
For more detailed notes on this species and the former species and varieties now included see:-
Metcalf L.J. (1995). The cultivation of New Zealand plants). pp 222-223. Godwit Press.
Fisher, F.J.F. (1965) The Alpine Ranunculi of New Zealand. Botany Div, DSIR NZ.
Currently this species includes R. insignis var lobulatus, R. monroi, R monroi var dentatus when is was reviewed by Dr Fisher in 1965 when he put all these together into the one species. There is potential that and other revision could split these R. insignis up again as I have seen some images labelled R.monroi in recent times.
R. insignis enjoys growing in spots on sheltered bluffs and rock outcrops through out its range.
As a variable species it varies in height from less than 10 cm to about 50 cm or more with thick basal evergreen leaves which vary in size, shape and hairiness. They are all undivided leaves with a conspicuous fringe of brown ore yellowish hairs on the edges of the leaves.
Flowers may be single or branched with 6 - 7 (or more) bright golden petals appearing from November to February. There are some superb forms with large flower heads and/or dark mottled leaves.
For more detailed notes on this species and the former species and varieties now included see:-
Metcalf L.J. (1995). The cultivation of New Zealand plants). pp 222-223. Godwit Press.
Fisher, F.J.F. (1965) The Alpine Ranunculi of New Zealand. Botany Div, DSIR NZ.
The above images were taken on Mt Hutt, Canterbury, NZ. 7 Nov 2018.