Sparaxis grandiflora
Butter cup, Butter Cup
(c) Paul Emms, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Iridaceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Sparaxis grandiflora (Butter cup) is a non-native California perennial in the Iridaceae family, recognized by differentiation based on flower size and coloration patterns.
Butter cup is a naturalized perennial found in the central Coast bioregion in disturbed sites at elevations below 50 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces yellow flowers in distinctive large blooms. Growing with slender stems up to 30 centimeters tall, it forms compact clumps. Its narrow leaves are grass-like and emerge from a central growing point. Native to southern Africa, this ornamental plant has become established in California's coastal disturbed landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; differentiation based on flower size and coloration patterns
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed sites
Elevation: < 50 m
Outside California: native to southern Africa
Bloom period
Sparaxis grandiflora blooms Mar-Apr.
How to tell it apart
vs Hemerocallis: Sparaxis has papery crinkled bracts; Hemerocallis has fleshy green bracts and lily-like flowers.; vs Freesia: Sparaxis has bracts cut into narrow segments; Freesia has smooth papery bracts and strongly fragrant tubular flowers.; vs Tropaeolum: Sparaxis has funnel flowers in spikes; Tropaeolum has spurred flowers and round shield-like leaves.; vs Primula: Sparaxis has papery bracts and iris-like leaves; Primula has a basal rosette of broad crinkled leaves.; vs Tulipa: Sparaxis has flowers in spikes with papery bracts; Tulipa has solitary cup-shaped flowers on single stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sparaxis grandiflora native to California?
No. Sparaxis grandiflora is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Sparaxis grandiflora bloom?
Sparaxis grandiflora blooms Mar-Apr.
What plant family does Sparaxis grandiflora belong to?
Sparaxis grandiflora is in the Iridaceae family, genus Sparaxis.
What habitat does Sparaxis grandiflora grow in?
Sparaxis grandiflora grows in Uncommon. Disturbed sites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.