Ranunculus alismifolius var. lemmonii
Common water plantain buttercup
(c) My-Lan Le, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by My-Lan Le · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS PPD
Ranunculus alismifolius var. lemmonii (Common water plantain buttercup) is a native California perennial in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by largest flowers and thickened roots diagnostic.
Common water plantain buttercup is a California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada and Modoc Plateau bioregions in mountain meadows at elevations of 1,400 to 2,900 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces white flowers 10 to 14 millimeters long with petals 5 to 8 millimeters wide. Growing 7 to 35 centimeters tall with slender stems 1 to 3 millimeters in diameter and fusiform-thickened roots, it forms delicate meadow colonies. Its leaves are distinctively narrowly lanceolate, with blades 3 to 11 centimeters long and approximately 1 centimeter wide, featuring entire margins and acuminate bases. In mountain meadow environments, this buttercup creates subtle yet charming floral displays with its elegant white blooms.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 36 sympatric species; largest flowers and thickened roots diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows
Elevation: 1400-2900 m
Outside California: to Nevada
Bloom period
Ranunculus alismifolius var. lemmonii blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS PPD
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. lemmonii native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus alismifolius var. lemmonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus alismifolius var. lemmonii bloom?
Ranunculus alismifolius var. lemmonii blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Ranunculus alismifolius var. lemmonii belong to?
Ranunculus alismifolius var. lemmonii is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
Is Ranunculus alismifolius var. lemmonii rare or endangered?
Ranunculus alismifolius var. lemmonii carries California Rare Plant Rank PPD.
What habitat does Ranunculus alismifolius var. lemmonii grow in?
Ranunculus alismifolius var. lemmonii grows in Meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.