Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismellus
Plantainleaf buttercup
(c) My-Lan Le, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by My-Lan Le · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismellus (Plantainleaf buttercup) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by simple leaves and size distinguish from other varieties.
Plantainleaf buttercup is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada, southern Transverse Ranges, San Jacinto Mountains, and Modoc Plateau in damp meadows, swamps, and along streams at elevations of 1,400 to 3,400 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces bright yellow flowers 5 to 8 millimeters long with petals 2 to 6 millimeters wide. Growing with slender stems 1 to 3 millimeters in diameter and reaching 6 to 21 centimeters tall, it forms delicate clumps in wet habitats. Its leaves are distinctive, with ovate or elliptic blades 2 to 5 centimeters long and about 1 centimeter wide, featuring rounded to widely acute bases and entire margins. The plant's roots are minimally thickened, allowing it to thrive in moist, open environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 50 sympatric species; simple leaves and size distinguish from other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Damp meadows, swamps, streams
Elevation: 1400-3400 m
California counties: Fresno, Trinity, San Bernardino, Tuolumne, Riverside, Inyo, Tulare, Mono, Mariposa, Madera, El Dorado, Shasta, Lake, Nevada, Siskiyou, Butte, Alpine, Plumas, Tehama, Modoc, Placer, Sierra, Mendocino, Lassen, Glenn, Ventura, Humboldt
Outside California: to Washington, Montana, northwestern Baja California
Bloom period
Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismellus blooms May-Aug.
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 var. alismellus native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismellus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismellus bloom?
Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismellus blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismellus grow?
Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismellus occurs in Fresno, Trinity, San Bernardino, Tuolumne, Riverside, Inyo, Tulare, Mono and other counties, at elevations of 1400-3400 m.
What plant family does Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismellus belong to?
Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismellus is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
What habitat does Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismellus grow in?
Ranunculus alismifolius var. alismellus grows in Damp meadows, swamps, streams.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Ranunculus aquatilis var. 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.