Ranunculus hystriculus
Waterfall false buttercup
(c) Dmitry Kulakov, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dmitry Kulakov · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Ranunculus hystriculus (Waterfall false buttercup) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by distinctive cylindrical fruits and greenish petals separate it from all others.
Waterfall false buttercup is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada in wet places near streams and waterfalls at elevations of 300 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from February to July, this plant produces white or pale yellow flowers with 8 to 12 small petals that are approximately green in color. Growing with erect stems 8 to 25 centimeters tall from a short caudex, it forms distinctive basal leaves that are semicircular or kidney-shaped, with 5 to 7 shallow lobes. Its basal leaves are 1.2 to 4.6 centimeters long, with rounded or slightly pointed tips and crenate margins, while any cauline leaves are minimal and scale-like. The fruit is cylindrical with strong longitudinal veins and a distinctive thread-like, hooked beak that persists after flowering.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 37 sympatric species; distinctive cylindrical fruits and greenish petals separate it from all others
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet places near streams, especially waterfalls
Elevation: 300-1800 m
California counties: Plumas, Fresno, Butte, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Placer, Stanislaus, Tulare, Amador
Bloom period
Ranunculus hystriculus blooms Feb-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 hystriculus native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus hystriculus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus hystriculus bloom?
Ranunculus hystriculus blooms Feb-Jul.
Where in California does Ranunculus hystriculus grow?
Ranunculus hystriculus occurs in Plumas, Fresno, Butte, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Placer, Stanislaus, Tulare and other counties, at elevations of 300-1800 m.
What plant family does Ranunculus hystriculus belong to?
Ranunculus hystriculus is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
What habitat does Ranunculus hystriculus grow in?
Ranunculus hystriculus grows in Wet places near streams, especially waterfalls.
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.