Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. suksdorfii
Suksdorf's buttercup
Photo: parent species Ranunculus eschscholtzii · (c) Jessica Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. suksdorfii (Suksdorf's buttercup) is a native California perennial in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by all segments lobed with acute tips.
Suksdorf's buttercup is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in the Marble Mountains on open, rocky slopes and meadows at elevations of 1,500 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces yellow flowers with multiple delicate petals. Growing with a short caudex 1 to 3 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters with persistent leaf bases. Its basal leaves are distinctive, broadly kidney-shaped (reniform), about 1.5 to 3.5 centimeters wide, divided into three main segments that are further intricately lobed with acute to pointed tips. The leaf base is uniquely truncate or heart-shaped, with a central segment that is partially divided.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; all segments lobed with acute tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, rocky slopes, meadows
Elevation: 1500-2200 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Mono, Shasta
Outside California: to British Columbia, Wyoming
Bloom period
Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. suksdorfii 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. suksdorfii native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. suksdorfii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. suksdorfii bloom?
Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. suksdorfii blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. suksdorfii grow?
Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. suksdorfii occurs in Siskiyou, Mono, Shasta, at elevations of 1500-2200 m.
What plant family does Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. suksdorfii belong to?
Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. suksdorfii is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
What habitat does Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. suksdorfii grow in?
Ranunculus eschscholtzii var. suksdorfii grows in Open, rocky slopes, meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Ranunculus flabellaris — Yellow water buttercup
- Ranunculus flammula — Creeping buttercup
- Ranunculus flammula var. flammula — Greater creeping spearwort
- Ranunculus flammula var. ovalis — Greater creeping spearwort
- Ranunculus glaberrimus — Sagebrush buttercup
- Ranunculus glaberrimus var. ellipticus — Elliptical buttercup
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.