California Buttercup
Ranunculus californicus
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
John Rusk (www.flickr.com) from Berkeley, CA, United States of America
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus:
- Ranunculus
- Species:
- Ranunculus californicus
- USDA Symbol:
- RACA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Geophyte
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- feb,mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:California ringlet (Coenonympha california)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from tuberous roots following fire; common in fire-adapted California grasslands and oak woodlands.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or clay loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification and germinate best with cool temperatures and consistent moisture. Light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold stratify seeds for 6 weeks in a refrigerator or sow outdoors in November or December
Establishment: R. californicus is found in vernally moist slopes and meadows below 3,000 feet elevation; from southern Oregon to Lower California throughout the coastal ranges and the Sierra foothills.
Source: npn.rngr.net