Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. bloomeri
Bloomer's beaked buttercup
Photo: parent species Ranunculus orthorhynchus · (c) joergmlpts, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. bloomeri (Bloomer's beaked buttercup) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by simple leaves and notched petals distinguish from other varieties.
Bloomer's beaked buttercup is a California native perennial found in northern coastal California regions including North Coast Ranges Outer, North Coast Ranges Inner, and San Francisco Bay Area in meadows and marshy areas at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with petals 6 to 9 millimeters wide that are gently notched at the tip. Growing with low-spreading stems, it develops basal leaves that are heart-shaped to rounded, sometimes simple and sometimes divided into undivided leaflets with softly scalloped edges. Its distinctive leaves are rounded to occasionally slightly pointed, creating a delicate ground-hugging appearance. The fruit develops a short 1.8 to 2.2 millimeter beak, forming a small hemispheric to ovoid aggregate cluster.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 26 sympatric species; simple leaves and notched petals distinguish from other varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, marshy areas
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Fresno, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Colusa, Contra Costa, Alameda, Humboldt
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. bloomeri blooms Mar-May.
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 orthorhynchus var. bloomeri native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. bloomeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. bloomeri bloom?
Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. bloomeri blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. bloomeri grow?
Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. bloomeri occurs in Fresno, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Solano, San Mateo and other counties, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. bloomeri belong to?
Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. bloomeri is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
What habitat does Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. bloomeri grow in?
Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. bloomeri grows in Meadows, marshy areas.
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.