Ranunculus alismifolius
Alisma leaved buttercup
(c) My-Lan Le, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by My-Lan Le · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Ranunculus alismifolius (Alisma leaved buttercup) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by simple diagnostic key.
Alisma leaved buttercup is a California native perennial herb found in open areas with erect or ascending growth habit. Flowering from spring to summer, this plant produces delicate white to yellow flowers with 4 to 6 petals. Growing with stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it has distinctive basal leaves with acute bases and obtuse to acuminate tips. Its leaves range from lance-shaped to broadly ovate, with a delicate texture and simple arrangement. The fruit is small, lenticular with a short, straight or slightly curved beak approximately 1 to 2 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; simple diagnostic key
Habitat and range
California counties: Trinity, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Nevada, Modoc, Alpine, Tehama, Mono, Sierra, Plumas, El Dorado, Tuolumne, Fresno, Tulare, Lassen, Placer, Mendocino, Humboldt, Shasta, Butte, Colusa, Madera, Mariposa, Riverside, Alameda, Inyo, Ventura
How to tell it apart
vs Lasthenia: Ranunculus has separate petals around a central disk; Lasthenia has many tiny ray flowers around a disk (composite head).; vs Bowlesia: Ranunculus has glossy yellow petals in conspicuous flowers; Bowlesia has tiny white flowers in umbels with divided leaves.; vs Potentilla: Ranunculus has nectaries at petal bases and many pistils; Potentilla has no nectaries and styles attached to ovary sides.; vs Papaver: Ranunculus has 5 petals and many pistils; Papaver has 4 crinkled petals and a single large stigma disk.; vs Oxalis: Ranunculus has glossy separate petals; Oxalis has clover-like leaves and tubular flowers that close at night.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ranunculus alismifolius native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus alismifolius is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Ranunculus alismifolius grow?
Ranunculus alismifolius occurs in Trinity, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Nevada, Modoc, Alpine, Tehama, Mono and other counties.
What plant family does Ranunculus alismifolius belong to?
Ranunculus alismifolius is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismellus — Plantainleaf buttercup
- Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismifolius — Plantainleaf buttercup
- Ranunculus alismifolius var. hartwegii — Common water plantain buttercup
- Ranunculus alismifolius var. lemmonii — Common water plantain buttercup
- Ranunculus andersonii — Anderson's buttercup
- Ranunculus aquatilis — Whitewater crowfoot
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.