Ranunculus pusillus
Low buttercup
no rights reserved, uploaded by Becky Dill · CC0
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Ranunculus pusillus (Low buttercup) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by simple unlobed leaves unique among California buttercups.
Low buttercup is a California native perennial found in northern coastal, northern coastal range, Sacramento Valley, central Sierra Nevada foothills, and central Coast ranges in ditches, streams, wet meadows, and fields at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small white flowers less than 2 millimeters wide with sparse petals. Growing 8 to 50 centimeters tall with erect or ascending stems that can root at lower nodes, it develops a delicate, upright habit. Its leaves are simple and unlobed, ranging 1.2 to 4.2 centimeters long, with ovate or lanceolate shapes and entire or minutely toothed margins. The small fruits are lenticular with thick walls and barely perceptible beaks, measuring approximately 1 to 1.2 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 36 sympatric species; simple unlobed leaves unique among California buttercups
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ditches, streams, wet meadows, fields
Elevation: < 500 m
Outside California: eastern United States
Bloom period
Ranunculus pusillus blooms Apr-Jun.
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 pusillus native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus pusillus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus pusillus bloom?
Ranunculus pusillus blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Ranunculus pusillus belong to?
Ranunculus pusillus is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
What habitat does Ranunculus pusillus grow in?
Ranunculus pusillus grows in Ditches, streams, wet meadows, fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.