Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Alkali Buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is moderately fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in a semi-upright form to a height of 1 foot, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are yellow and striking, and bloom in the late spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in meadows, at elevations from 0-10500 feet.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

8 - 12 in Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Winter Deciduous

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Moderate

Soil drainage

Standing

Soil description

Prefers loamy or clay soils. Grows poorly in sandy soils.

Sunset Zones

1, 2*, 3, 4, 5, 6*, 7*, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15*, 16*, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

Site type

Meadows, streambanks, marshes, pond edges

Plant communities

Alpine Fell-Fields, Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Valley Grassland, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 2 likely

Confirmed Likely

White Triangle Tortrix

Clepsis persicana

Purple-Lined Sallow

Pyrrhia exprimens