Ranunculus flammula var. flammula
Greater creeping spearwort
(c) Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Timothy McNitt · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS PPD
Ranunculus flammula var. flammula (Greater creeping spearwort) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by var. ovalis by larger dimensions.
Greater creeping spearwort is a California native perennial found in northwestern California in shallow water or muddy shores of ponds at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces small yellow flowers 5 to 7 millimeters wide with delicate white petals. Growing with stems 0.8 to 3 millimeters in diameter that can be erect or prostrate across wet habitats, it spreads easily in marshy environments. Its leaves are slender and lance-shaped, measuring 1.8 to 4.5 centimeters long and 0.3 to 1 centimeter wide, providing a distinctive green backdrop to its subtle flowering structure. The plant's ability to thrive in shallow water makes it a unique inhabitant of pond margins and wet meadow ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 41 sympatric species; distinguished from var. ovalis by larger dimensions
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shallow water or muddy shores of ponds
Elevation: < 1000 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, eastern Canada, Eurasia
Bloom period
Ranunculus flammula var. flammula blooms May-Aug.
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 flammula var. flammula native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus flammula var. flammula is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus flammula var. flammula bloom?
Ranunculus flammula var. flammula blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Ranunculus flammula var. flammula belong to?
Ranunculus flammula var. flammula is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
Is Ranunculus flammula var. flammula rare or endangered?
Ranunculus flammula var. flammula carries California Rare Plant Rank PPD.
What habitat does Ranunculus flammula var. flammula grow in?
Ranunculus flammula var. flammula grows in Shallow water or muddy shores of ponds.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Ranunculus flammula var. ovalis — Greater creeping spearwort
- Ranunculus glaberrimus — Sagebrush buttercup
- Ranunculus glaberrimus var. ellipticus — Elliptical buttercup
- Ranunculus glaberrimus var. glaberrimus — Sagebrush buttercup
- Ranunculus gormanii — Gorman's buttercup
- Ranunculus hebecarpus — Delicate buttercup
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.