Ranunculus alismifolius var. hartwegii
Common water plantain buttercup
(c) My-Lan Le, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by My-Lan Le · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Ranunculus alismifolius var. hartwegii (Common water plantain buttercup) is a native California perennial in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by intermediate size and entire leaf margins.
Common water plantain buttercup is a native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges, northern and central Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the Modoc Plateau in mountain meadows at elevations of 1,200 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from April to August, this buttercup produces white flowers 6 to 8 millimeters long with rounded petals. Growing with slender stems 13 to 30 centimeters tall and approximately 1 to 3 millimeters in diameter, the plant has an upright, delicate form. Its leaves are distinctive, with blade-like lanceolate leaves 3 to 10 centimeters long and about 1 centimeter wide, featuring entire margins and acute leaf bases. The plant develops with roots that are not significantly thickened, giving it a graceful, understated appearance in mountain meadow environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 35 sympatric species; intermediate size and entire leaf margins
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows
Elevation: 1200-2100 m
Outside California: to Washington, Wyoming
Bloom period
Ranunculus alismifolius var. hartwegii blooms Apr-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. hartwegii native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus alismifolius var. hartwegii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus alismifolius var. hartwegii bloom?
Ranunculus alismifolius var. hartwegii blooms Apr-Aug.
What plant family does Ranunculus alismifolius var. hartwegii belong to?
Ranunculus alismifolius var. hartwegii is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
What habitat does Ranunculus alismifolius var. hartwegii grow in?
Ranunculus alismifolius var. hartwegii grows in Meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Ranunculus alismifolius var. lemmonii — Common water plantain buttercup
- Ranunculus andersonii — Anderson's buttercup
- Ranunculus aquatilis — Whitewater crowfoot
- Ranunculus aquatilis var. aquatilis — Whitewater crowfoot
- Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus — Whitewater crowfoot
- Ranunculus arvensis — Corn buttercup
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.