Ranunculus macounii
Macoun's buttercup
(c) Mary Krieger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mary Krieger · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Ranunculus macounii (Macoun's buttercup) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by hairy receptacle and Modoc Plateau location.
Macoun's buttercup is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the Modoc Plateau in wet meadows and shallow water at elevations of 1,200 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces white to yellow flowers approximately 4 to 6 millimeters wide with distinctive spreading sepals. Growing 20 to 65 centimeters tall with erect stems that can root at the lowest nodes, it has a distinctive growth habit of being partially decumbent. Its basal and lower leaves are large and complex, featuring compound ternate leaflets that are 3-lobed with elliptic segments that have acute or toothed tips. The fruit is a small disk-like body with a straight lanceolate beak, characteristic of buttercup species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 29 sympatric species; hairy receptacle and Modoc Plateau location are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, shallow water
Elevation: 1200-1500 m
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern Canada
Bloom period
Ranunculus macounii blooms Jun-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.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 macounii native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus macounii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus macounii bloom?
Ranunculus macounii blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Ranunculus macounii belong to?
Ranunculus macounii is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
Is Ranunculus macounii rare or endangered?
Ranunculus macounii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2S3.
What habitat does Ranunculus macounii grow in?
Ranunculus macounii grows in Wet meadows, shallow water.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Ranunculus muricatus — Buttercup
- Ranunculus occidentalis — Western buttercup
- Ranunculus occidentalis var. dissectus — Western buttercup
- Ranunculus occidentalis var. howellii — Western buttercup
- Ranunculus occidentalis var. occidentalis — Western buttercup
- Ranunculus occidentalis var. ultramontanus — Western buttercup
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.