Delicate Buttercup
(Hairy Buttercup, Pubescent-fruited Buttercup)

Ranunculus hebecarpus

A slender annual found occasionally on moist shaded slopes in chaparral and oak woodland.  Roberts lists it in the Santa Ana Mountains  at Silverado, Lost Woman, and Trabuco Cyns. in Orange Co.  It is branching, woolly, somewhat erect, 4-12 in. tall.  Flowers are minute, pale yellow on axillary stems.  There are 5 yellow sepals, 0-2  petals 1.3- 2 mm.; 10 or more stamens.  Fruits (single seeded achenes) do not open to release seeds.  Achenes have a short beak, hooked distally,  and a covering of fine short hooked bristles.  Leaves are  basal, round or kidney-shaped, 3-parted, each division notched, hairy on 1-4 in. stems.

Native to western North America

Back to Ranunculaceae of Orange County, California
Back to Eudicots of Orange County, California
Back to Natural History of Orange County, California