Big Buttercup
Ranunculus macranthus
Last reviewed: August 2026
Texas buttercup is a spring-blooming forb with glossy yellow flowers, thriving in full sun and moist to medium soils across Texas woodlands, prairies, and stream edges from March through May.
Big Buttercup is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
6"–36" H × 6"–6" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
TX
Pollinators
nectar insects
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Big Buttercup is a native Texas perennial that produces bright yellow flowers from March through May. This spring wildflower grows 6 to 36 inches tall with a narrow spread, thriving in full sun with moderate water needs.
Growing Big Buttercup
Grow Big Buttercup in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 6 to 36 inches tall and spread 6 to 6 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Big Buttercup is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The cheerful yellow blooms attract nectar-seeking insects including bees and beneficial pollinators during the critical early spring period.
Common questions
- When does Texas buttercup bloom?
- Texas buttercup typically flowers from March through May, with glossy yellow blooms appearing on upright stems in early spring.
- What kind of light does Texas buttercup need?
- This forb performs best in full sun but can tolerate some part sun, especially where soil moisture stays consistent through the growing season.
- How much water does Texas buttercup require?
- Texas buttercup prefers medium to consistently moist soil and is often found near seasonal streams, low prairies, and open woodland edges where water collects after rain.
- What pollinators visit Texas buttercup?
- The bright yellow flowers attract nectar-seeking insects such as bees and flies during the spring bloom period.
- Does Texas buttercup stay green year round?
- No, this perennial forb dies back after its spring bloom and goes dormant, regrowing from its rootstock the following season.
- Is Big Buttercup toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Big Buttercup is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Big Buttercup toxic to cats?
- Yes. Big Buttercup is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Big Buttercup HOA-friendly?
- Big Buttercup is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
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