Texas Wildbuds
Ranunculus fascicularis
(Early Buttercup)
Ranunculus fascicularis, Bonham State Park, Fannin Co. 5147
Ranunculus fascicularis, Bonham State Park, Fannin Co. 5154
Ranunculus fascicularis, Bonham State Park, Fannin Co. 5151
| Scientific Name | Ranunculus fascicularis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | RAFA |
| Common Name | Early Buttercup, Prairie Buttercup | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 18602 |
| Family | Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Drier soils in areas where there is sparse ground vegetation; open woodlands, glades, prairies, savannas, pastures, farmyards, railroads and roadsides. Plant: Small perennial typically about 6" tall and 6" across; stems are erect to ascending, single or in tufts with silky hairs. Leaves: Variable shapes; leaves are mostly basal and on petioles up to 4 inches long, blades ovate to oblong in outline, 1 to 2 inches long and 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches across; usually compound with groups of 3 or 5 leaflets each up to 1 inch long, these mostly divided into 3 to 5 lobes and often further divided or notched; blunt or rounded tips; surfaces are variously hairy, sometimes smooth; stem leaves, if present, are few and smaller. Inflorescence: Usually a single flower at the end of a hairy stem; flowers are 1/2 to 1-inch across with 5 (or up to 9) shiny yellow obovate or oblanceolate petals rounded at the tips; many (40 to 50) yellow stamens; sepals below are ovate, less than 1/3-inch long, spreading or sometimes reflexed downward from base. Bloom Period: February to May. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, Flora of North America, Minnesota Wildflowers and Illinois Wildflowers |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2026
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