Pronounced (approximate): rah-NUN-kyoo-lus AY-kris
Glossy yellow flowers have five broad petals. Leaves are deeply divided into narrow toothed sections.
Tall Buttercup (Ranunculus acris): flower details. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Ranunculaceae
Life cycle Perennial
Blooms May–October
Height 10 to 40 inches
Habitat part shade, sun; moist fields, edges of woods, along roads
Common names: Tall Buttercup · Meadow Buttercup
Bloom timing varies with latitude, weather and local conditions.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
part shade, sun; moist fields, edges of woods, along roads. Flowering season: May–October.
Compare the deeply divided foliage and tall branching habit with other buttercups; flower color alone is insufficient.
Glossy yellow flowers have five broad petals.
Leaves are deeply divided into narrow toothed sections.
Upright stems branch to carry several flowers. Pair close views with a photograph of the whole plant.
5 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Introduced in North America; native to Europe.
Reported U.S. distribution
AK, CA, CO, CT, DE, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Includes native and introduced state records where listed; a state record does not imply occurrence in every county.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Tall Buttercup in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.