Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. platyphyllus
Bloomer's buttercup
Photo: parent species Ranunculus orthorhynchus · (c) joergmlpts, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. platyphyllus (Bloomer's buttercup) is a native California perennial in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by widest petals and largest fruit clusters in genus.
Bloomer's buttercup is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, central coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Cascade Range, and Central Valley in meadows and marshy areas at elevations up to 2,100 meters. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with rounded petals 7 to 11 millimeters wide. Growing with delicate stems and a compact growth habit, it develops distinctive basal leaves divided into 3 to 5 leaflets with narrow, toothed segments. Its leaves are uniquely shaped, ranging from ovate to semicircular, with leaflet segments that are narrowly elliptic to linear, creating an intricate botanical pattern. The fruit develops with a short beak 2 to 3 millimeters long, forming a small spheric or ovoid aggregate.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 48 sympatric species; widest petals and largest fruit clusters in genus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, marshy areas
Elevation: < 2100 m
California counties: Sonoma, Humboldt, Mendocino, Marin, Glenn
Outside California: to Washington, Wyoming
Bloom period
Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. platyphyllus blooms Mar-Jul.
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. platyphyllus native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. platyphyllus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. platyphyllus bloom?
Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. platyphyllus blooms Mar-Jul.
Where in California does Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. platyphyllus grow?
Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. platyphyllus occurs in Sonoma, Humboldt, Mendocino, Marin, Glenn, at elevations of < 2100 m.
What plant family does Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. platyphyllus belong to?
Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. platyphyllus is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
What habitat does Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. platyphyllus grow in?
Ranunculus orthorhynchus var. platyphyllus 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 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.