Ranunculus occidentalis var. howellii
Western buttercup
(c) dloarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by dloarie · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS PPD
Ranunculus occidentalis var. howellii (Western buttercup) is a native California perennial in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by largest fruits in the species complex.
Western buttercup is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in mountain meadows at elevations of 900 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces bright yellow flowers 6 to 10 millimeters long with delicate, glossy petals. Growing with erect to slightly decumbent stems, it develops a distinctive clump-like form in open grassland areas. Its basal leaves are divided into three parts with narrow elliptic segments that may have subtle serrated edges. The compact flower heads and finely divided leaves make this buttercup a charming component of mountain meadow ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; largest fruits in the species complex
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows
Elevation: 900-1400 m
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Ranunculus occidentalis var. howellii blooms Apr-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. howellii native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus occidentalis var. howellii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus occidentalis var. howellii bloom?
Ranunculus occidentalis var. howellii blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Ranunculus occidentalis var. howellii belong to?
Ranunculus occidentalis var. howellii is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
Is Ranunculus occidentalis var. howellii rare or endangered?
Ranunculus occidentalis var. howellii carries California Rare Plant Rank PPD.
What habitat does Ranunculus occidentalis var. howellii grow in?
Ranunculus occidentalis var. howellii grows in Meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. platyphyllus — Bloomer's buttercup
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.