Ranunculus hydrocharoides
Frog's-bit buttercup
(c) Oscar C. González Martínez, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Ranunculus hydrocharoides (Frog's-bit buttercup) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by geographic isolation east of Sierra Nevada is key diagnostic.
Frog's-bit buttercup is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in the eastern Sierra Nevada in wet ground, shallow water, and creek edges at elevations of 1,200 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white flowers 3 to 5 millimeters long with delicate petals. Growing 5 to 25 centimeters tall with erect to prostrate stems that root at the nodes, it has a flexible growth habit that adapts to wet environments. Its lower leaves are broadly ovate, 0.8 to 2.7 centimeters long, with rounded or heart-shaped bases and entire or slightly toothed margins. The fruit is a small, thick-walled lenticular body with a short, straight or curved beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; geographic isolation east of Sierra Nevada is key diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet ground, shallow water, creek edges, lakes
Elevation: 1200-2800 m
California counties: Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Santa Cruz
Outside California: to New Mexico, Central America
Bloom period
Ranunculus hydrocharoides blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
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 hydrocharoides native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus hydrocharoides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus hydrocharoides bloom?
Ranunculus hydrocharoides blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Ranunculus hydrocharoides grow?
Ranunculus hydrocharoides occurs in Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Santa Cruz, at elevations of 1200-2800 m.
What plant family does Ranunculus hydrocharoides belong to?
Ranunculus hydrocharoides is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
Is Ranunculus hydrocharoides rare or endangered?
Ranunculus hydrocharoides carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.