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Threadleaf Crowfoot

Ranunculus trichophyllus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Threadleaf Crowfoot (Ranunculus trichophyllus)
Photo: Jan Kops / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Threadleaf Crowfoot is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). 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.

Native swaps for a yard with pets

Threadleaf Crowfoot 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.

Light

part shade

Water

high

Size

4"–12" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AR, AZ, CA, CT and 35 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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

Find rebates in your area

Picture 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 Threadleaf Crowfoot.

Threadleaf crowfoot is a low-growing perennial wildflower with delicate, thread-like leaves and small white buttercup flowers. This native plant thrives in consistently moist soils and partial shade, making it ideal for wet areas where other plants struggle. It blooms from May through July and goes dormant in winter.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Threadleaf Crowfoot takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Requires consistently wet conditions that may create maintenance issues
  • Very informal appearance resembles weeds
  • Goes completely dormant leaving bare patches in winter

Wildlife value

The small white flowers attract native bees and beetles during the spring and summer blooming period. Its low growth habit provides some ground-level habitat for small insects.

Common questions

How much sun does Threadleaf Crowfoot need?
Threadleaf Crowfoot grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Threadleaf Crowfoot bloom?
Threadleaf Crowfoot blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Threadleaf Crowfoot native?
Threadleaf Crowfoot (Ranunculus trichophyllus) is native to AR, AZ, CA, CT and 35 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Threadleaf Crowfoot toxic to dogs?
Yes. Threadleaf Crowfoot 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 Threadleaf Crowfoot toxic to cats?
Yes. Threadleaf Crowfoot 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 Threadleaf Crowfoot attract?
Threadleaf Crowfoot draws bees and beetles.
Is Threadleaf Crowfoot HOA-friendly?
Threadleaf Crowfoot takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Threadleaf Crowfoot and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.