Species PlantsTall Buttercup

Tall Buttercup

Ranunculus acris

CommonPlant
Illustration of Tall Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)
Safety note: Sap can cause skin blistering; toxic if ingested by livestock.

Tall Buttercup is a European perennial wildflower naturalized across most of North America in moist meadows, fields, and roadsides. Its shiny, bright yellow petals reflect light in a way that amuses children who hold them under chins to test if someone likes butter. Despite being non-native, the flowers provide pollen for many native bees and hover flies.

Habitat
Moist meadows, fields, and roadsides across North America
Diet
Pollen collected by native bees and hover flies
How common
Common

Best time to see a Tall Buttercup

The best time to see a Tall Buttercup is May–June, when about 68% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,459 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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Not certain it is a Tall Buttercup? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Tall Buttercup sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

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