MOUNT COOK AND GIANT BUTTERCUPS


The Giant Mountain Buttercup or Ranunculus lyalli is commonly referred to as the "Mount Cook Lily". Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain (3764m), and has this foreground of Giant Buttercup only during December and January. It is the largest ranunculus plant in the world. In some southern alpine areas it clothes entire slopes with its sparkling flowers. This view is taken from a photograph by Martin Barriball.