Ranunculus glaberrimus
Sagebrush buttercup
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Ranunculus glaberrimus (Sagebrush buttercup) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family.
Sagebrush buttercup is a California native perennial found in sagebrush and grassland habitats at elevations suitable for this low-growing plant. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with glossy petals 8 to 13 millimeters long that create a cheerful display against sparse landscapes. Growing with prostrate or ascending stems 5 to 26 centimeters tall, the plant spreads in a delicate, low-growing form without a bulbous base. Its basal leaves are small and occasionally persistent, with lower cauline leaves that complement the plant's compact growth habit. The fruit develops as a small lenticular body with a straight or slightly curved beak, typical of buttercup species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with 0 sympatric species
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Modoc, Amador, Siskiyou, Lassen, Nevada, Sierra, Plumas, Alpine, Mono
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 glaberrimus native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus glaberrimus is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Ranunculus glaberrimus grow?
Ranunculus glaberrimus occurs in San Bernardino, Modoc, Amador, Siskiyou, Lassen, Nevada, Sierra, Plumas and other counties.
What plant family does Ranunculus glaberrimus belong to?
Ranunculus glaberrimus is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Ranunculus glaberrimus var. ellipticus — Elliptical buttercup
- Ranunculus glaberrimus var. glaberrimus — Sagebrush buttercup
- Ranunculus gormanii — Gorman's buttercup
- Ranunculus hebecarpus — Delicate buttercup
- Ranunculus hydrocharoides — Frog's-bit buttercup
- Ranunculus hystriculus — Waterfall false buttercup
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.