Ranunculus lobbii
Lobb's aquatic buttercup, Lobb's Aquatic Buttercup
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Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Ranunculus lobbii (Lobb's aquatic buttercup) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by aquatic habitat and white petals.
Lobb's aquatic buttercup is a native annual found in northern coastal California and San Francisco Bay bioregions in pond habitats at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white flowers with yellow claws, typically 4 to 6 millimeters long. Growing up to 80 centimeters tall, it can float on water or creep along muddy surfaces, rooting at stem nodes. Its distinctive leaves include floating leaves that are kidney-shaped and deeply divided into three elliptic or obovate segments, while submerged leaves are intricately dissected. The fruit consists of 2 to 6 lenticular bodies with thick, transversely wrinkled walls.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; aquatic habitat and white petals are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ponds
Elevation: < 500 m
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Ranunculus lobbii blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 lobbii native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus lobbii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus lobbii bloom?
Ranunculus lobbii blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Ranunculus lobbii belong to?
Ranunculus lobbii is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
Is Ranunculus lobbii rare or endangered?
Ranunculus lobbii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Ranunculus lobbii grow in?
Ranunculus lobbii grows in Ponds.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.