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Bristly Buttercup

Ranunculus hispidus var. nitidus

Last reviewed: November 2026

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Bristly Buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus var. nitidus)
Photo: Fritzflohrreynolds

Bristly 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.

The Pollinator Patch App flags toxic plants so you can choose a native alternative that is not on the ASPCA toxic plant list.

Native swaps for a yard with pets

Bristly Buttercup is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Bristly Buttercup as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–24" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 32 more states

Pollinators

butterflies, bees, nectar insects

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 461 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Texas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainSouthern Coastal PlainEastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Bristly Buttercup is a compact native perennial that produces bright yellow, glossy flowers from spring through summer. This low-growing wildflower forms neat clumps and goes dormant in winter, returning reliably each spring.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Bristly 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 long blooming period provides nectar for butterflies, native bees, and other beneficial insects throughout the growing season.

Common questions

How much sun does Bristly Buttercup need?
Bristly Buttercup grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Bristly Buttercup bloom?
Bristly Buttercup blooms in March, April, May, June, July, and August.
Where is Bristly Buttercup native?
Bristly Buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus var. nitidus) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 32 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Bristly Buttercup toxic to dogs?
Yes. Bristly 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 Bristly Buttercup toxic to cats?
Yes. Bristly 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 Bristly Buttercup toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Bristly Buttercup as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does Bristly Buttercup attract?
Bristly Buttercup draws butterflies, bees, and nectar insects.
Is Bristly Buttercup HOA-friendly?
Bristly Buttercup is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

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.

See all plant problem guides

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