California buttercup
Ranunculus californicus
Last reviewed: October 2026
California buttercup (Ranunculus californicus) is a perennial forb native to CA, OR. It blooms in February, March, April, and May. The flowers draw bees and flies.
California 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) 426-4435 and 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
low
Size
8"–24" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Native to
CA, OR
Pollinators
bees, flies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like California buttercup.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Perennial wildflower with glossy, bright yellow flowers held above deeply lobed leaves. Blooms in winter and spring, then goes dormant through the dry summer on grassy slopes and open woodlands.
Growing California buttercup
Grow California buttercup in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 8 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Early-season flowers provide nectar and pollen for native bees and flies.
Common questions
- How much sun does California buttercup need?
- California buttercup grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does California buttercup bloom?
- California buttercup blooms in February, March, April, and May.
- Where is California buttercup native?
- California buttercup (Ranunculus californicus) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is California buttercup toxic to dogs?
- Yes. California 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 California buttercup toxic to cats?
- Yes. California 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.
- What pollinators does California buttercup attract?
- California buttercup draws bees and flies.
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
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like California buttercup and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.