Peculiar Flower Kicks off the New Year Near Yosemite

Winter conditions, including frequent frost and icy pavement, prevail in the Merced Canyon along Highway 140. And yet, at this time of year, I find an unusual white flower there. Each January, the annual flower show begins with the blooming of the waterfall false-buttercup (Ranunculus hystriculus). These beauties live where water continually drips or near waterfalls where the spray keeps them fresh. There is an odd aspect of the waterfall false-buttercup's anatomy that intrigues me. The flowers have small green petals and large white sepals, which is opposite most flowers. Green sepals and larger white (or other colored) petals are typical of most flowers. Look carefully at the close-up for the tiny green petals hiding in between the big white sepals and the stamens.

So the question is, why the difference? While I haven't found an answer and this puzzle may never be solved, isn't it enough just to be different? In my world, variety is the spice of life - and that is a wondrous thing.

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