Ranunculus gormanii
Gorman's buttercup
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Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Ranunculus gormanii (Gorman's buttercup) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by prostrate habit and thickened roots.
Gorman's buttercup is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in damp meadows and streambanks at elevations of 900 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces delicate yellow flowers approximately 4 to 6 millimeters wide with 5 to 6 petals. Growing prostrate with slender stems 5 to 20 centimeters long that occasionally root at the nodes, it forms a low-spreading ground cover. Its lower leaves are broadly ovate, 1.2 to 4 centimeters long with rounded or truncate bases, sometimes featuring subtle dentate margins. The plant develops a distinctive fusiform-thickened root system and produces small lenticular fruits with a straight or slightly curved beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; distinguished by prostrate habit and thickened roots
Habitat and range
Habitat: Damp meadows, streambanks
Elevation: 900-1900 m
California counties: Del Norte, Siskiyou, Fresno
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Ranunculus gormanii blooms Jun-Jul.
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 gormanii native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus gormanii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus gormanii bloom?
Ranunculus gormanii blooms Jun-Jul.
Where in California does Ranunculus gormanii grow?
Ranunculus gormanii occurs in Del Norte, Siskiyou, Fresno, at elevations of 900-1900 m.
What plant family does Ranunculus gormanii belong to?
Ranunculus gormanii is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
What habitat does Ranunculus gormanii grow in?
Ranunculus gormanii grows in Damp meadows, streambanks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.