Ranunculus occidentalis var. dissectus
Western buttercup
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Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS PPD
Ranunculus occidentalis var. dissectus (Western buttercup) is a native California perennial in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by narrow leaf segments and straight beak distinguish from other varieties.
Western buttercup is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, and North Coast Ranges in wet or dry meadows at elevations of 1,000 to 1,800 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow flowers with delicate petals 6 to 10 millimeters long. Growing with erect to spreading stems, it forms clusters of distinctive foliage with basal leaves divided into three intricate segments. Its leaves feature lanceolate to oblanceolate leaflets that are either entirely smooth or have sparse, subtle teeth along the edges. The fruit develops as a small, glabrous body with a straight, awl-shaped beak approximately 1.2 to 2.2 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; narrow leaf segments and straight beak distinguish from other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet or dry meadows
Elevation: 1000-1800 m
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Ranunculus occidentalis var. dissectus blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS PPD
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 occidentalis var. dissectus native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus occidentalis var. dissectus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus occidentalis var. dissectus bloom?
Ranunculus occidentalis var. dissectus blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Ranunculus occidentalis var. dissectus belong to?
Ranunculus occidentalis var. dissectus is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
Is Ranunculus occidentalis var. dissectus rare or endangered?
Ranunculus occidentalis var. dissectus carries California Rare Plant Rank PPD.
What habitat does Ranunculus occidentalis var. dissectus grow in?
Ranunculus occidentalis var. dissectus grows in Wet or dry meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Ranunculus occidentalis var. howellii — Western buttercup
- Ranunculus occidentalis var. occidentalis — Western buttercup
- Ranunculus occidentalis var. ultramontanus — Western buttercup
- Ranunculus orthorhynchus — Bloomer's buttercup
- Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. bloomeri — Bloomer's beaked buttercup
- Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. orthorhynchus — Straight beaked buttercup
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-01
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.