Ranunculus sceleratus var. multifidus
Cursed buttercup
(c) Brian Finzel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Brian Finzel · licence
Family: Ranunculaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Ranunculus sceleratus var. multifidus (Cursed buttercup) is a native California herb in the Ranunculaceae family, recognized by var. sceleratus by elevation, leaf dissection, and smooth fruit faces.
Cursed buttercup is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, and North Coast Ranges in wet ground or shallow water at elevations of 1,000 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces small yellow flowers with distinctive deeply divided segments. Growing with delicate stems typically 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it spreads quickly in moist environments. Its leaves are intricately parted with deeply lobed segments that are crenate, creating a complex, lacy green foliage. The fruit develops with smooth faces, characteristic of this delicate wetland annual.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 40 sympatric species; distinguished from var. sceleratus by elevation, leaf dissection, and smooth fruit faces
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet ground or shallow water
Elevation: 1000-2000 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, eastern Canada
Bloom period
Ranunculus sceleratus var. multifidus blooms Jul-Aug.
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 sceleratus var. multifidus native to California?
Yes. Ranunculus sceleratus var. multifidus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ranunculus sceleratus var. multifidus bloom?
Ranunculus sceleratus var. multifidus blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Ranunculus sceleratus var. multifidus belong to?
Ranunculus sceleratus var. multifidus is in the Ranunculaceae family, genus Ranunculus.
What habitat does Ranunculus sceleratus var. multifidus grow in?
Ranunculus sceleratus var. multifidus grows in Wet ground or shallow water.
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.