Ranunculus glaberrimus

Ranunculus glaberrimus (Sagebrush Buttercup) is a small plant native to interior western North America, from central British Columbia east to southern Saskatchewan, southwest to northeastern California, and southeast to northern New Mexico. It prefers habitat near junipers (Juniperus occidentalis) and sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) in damp ground. It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 5-26 centimeter tall. The leaves are oval, sometimes with rounded teeth at the end. The flowers are bright glossy yellow, usually with five petals but sometimes ten or more, the petals 6-15 millimeter long and 4-8 millimeter broad. It is among the first flowers to bloom after the snow has melted.