Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. eschscholtzii

Eschscholtz's buttercup

Ranunculus eschscholtzii — parent species of Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. eschscholtzii

Photo: parent species Ranunculus eschscholtzii · (c) Jessica Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence

Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native

Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. eschscholtzii (Eschscholtz's buttercup) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by alpine habitat and leaf division pattern.

Eschscholtz's buttercup is a native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and Sierra Nevada Mountains on open, rocky alpine slopes and meadows at elevations of 2,200 to 3,600 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with multiple rounded petals. Growing with a short persistent caudex 1 to 3 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in alpine environments. Its distinctive basal leaves are reniform or heart-shaped, divided into three primary segments with lateral sections further lobed, creating an intricate leaf structure approximately 1 to 2.3 centimeters wide. The leaf segments have rounded or widely acute tips, giving the plant a delicate and complex appearance characteristic of high-elevation alpine habitats.

Identification and appearance

Key characters: 40 sympatric species; alpine habitat and leaf division pattern

Habitat and range

Habitat: Open, rocky alpine slopes, meadows

Elevation: 2200-3600 m

Outside California: to Alaska, Colorado

Bloom period

Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. eschscholtzii blooms Jul-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 eschscholtzii var. eschscholtzii native to California?

Yes. Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. eschscholtzii is native to California (recorded as native).

When does Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. eschscholtzii bloom?

Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. eschscholtzii blooms Jul-Aug.

What plant family does Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. eschscholtzii belong to?

Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. eschscholtzii is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.

What habitat does Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. eschscholtzii grow in?

Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. eschscholtzii grows in Open, rocky alpine slopes, meadows.

Related species

Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.

All Ranunculus species · All Ranunculaceae

Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.