Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus
Whitewater crowfoot
Photo: parent species Ranunculus aquatilis · (c) Rose Zappa, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus (Whitewater crowfoot) is a native California perennial in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by all leaves dissected, white petals diagnostic.
Whitewater crowfoot is a California native perennial found in the Central California Floristic Province and Great Basin in ponds, lakes, streams, and river edges at elevations up to 3,200 meters. Flowering from March to September, this aquatic plant produces white flowers with delicate, small petals. Growing with slender, branching stems that spread through water, it creates intricate underwater networks. Its distinctive leaves are uniquely adapted, floating and submersed with segments dissected into fine, thread-like shapes that help the plant move easily through water currents. The small fruits are approximately 1 to 1.8 millimeters long with a short beak, enabling efficient water-based seed dispersal.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 57 sympatric species; all leaves dissected, white petals diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ponds, lakes, streams, river edges
Elevation: < 3200 m
California counties: Modoc, Monterey, Mono, Butte, Glenn, Contra Costa, Mariposa, Shasta, Mendocino, Lassen, San Mateo, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Plumas, Riverside, El Dorado, Tulare, Lake, Sacramento, Nevada, Sierra, Fresno, Santa Clara, San Diego, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Inyo, Marin, Los Angeles, Merced, Alameda, San Francisco, San Benito, Siskiyou, Madera, San Bernardino, Napa, Sonoma, Alpine, Solano, Tehama, Placer, Humboldt, Ventura, Stanislaus, Santa Cruz, Amador, Yolo
Outside California: North America, Eurasia, Australia
Bloom period
Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus blooms Mar-Sep.
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 aquatilis var. diffusus native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus bloom?
Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus blooms Mar-Sep.
Where in California does Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus grow?
Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus occurs in Modoc, Monterey, Mono, Butte, Glenn, Contra Costa, Mariposa, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of < 3200 m.
What plant family does Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus belong to?
Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
What habitat does Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus grow in?
Ranunculus aquatilis var. diffusus grows in Ponds, lakes, streams, river edges.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.